The Leinster player contributed 16 points in Dublin by landing five conversions, three from the touchline, and two penalties.

Initially, Kidney remarked, tongue in cheek, Ireland's man of the match had “done okay”.

But he continued: “Jonathan showed great maturity out there.

“Then again, I'm not surprised. Last year, when things were not going so well for him, he stuck at it, which is a great sign.”

Kidney admitted it will now be a tough choice between Ronan O'Gara and Sexton for the fly-half spot against South Africa.

Sexton was understandably pleased, commenting: “I'm very happy, but there are always things to work on.

“Obviously, everyone in the squad wants to start, but they are not decisions I'm here to make.”

Skipper Brian O'Driscoll, one of Ireland's try-scorers, reflected the victory was not as easy as the final scoreline suggested.

He said: “One thing I have learned is that you have to grind down sides. That took us 60 or 70 minutes. The days of cricket scores in these sorts of matches are behind us.”