Ireland began the Guinness Series with a fantastic win over South Africa at the Aviva Stadium winning by 29 points to 15.
Ulster’s Chris Henry was ruled out of the game with a virus and was an addition to an already lengthy injury list, but despite the absentees, Joe Schmidt’s team were vastly superior as Ireland began a world cup season in brilliant style.
Ireland led the contest by 6 points to 3 at half time thanks to two penalties from the boot of Jonny Sexton.
That advantage increased just two minutes into the second period when Henry’s replacement, Leinster’s Rhys Ruddock, peeled off a ruck, went straight through a gap and slid over in the corner.
However, South Africa, who are ranked second in the world, were never going to lie down and applied huge pressure as they sought a way back into the game.
That pressure was rewarded on 57 minutes when Victor Matfield took a line out 10 metres out from the Ireland try line, the Boks mauled superbly and and Coetzee touched down.
The home side capitalised fully when Tommy Bowe collected a clever through kick from Conor Murray and the Ulsterman went over the line.
Man of the match, Jonny Sexton, then landed the conversion. A late try for South Africa was only a consolation.
The win was Ireland’s and what a win.