The tourists had started well only to allow their hosts back into the match before half-time and in spite of their impressive efforts after the interval they could not edge themselves in front.

A fiery early burst from Ireland gave them a deserved lead as South Africa struggled to assert themselves and were penalised heavily at the scrums by referee Joel Jutge.

But once they overcame their early problems, the Springboks took charge.

Ireland drew first blood when left wing Tyrone Howe scored after a flowing move in the eighth minute.

The visitors enjoyed considerable possession inside the Springboks 22 area and after forcing severe pressure at the line-out, they moved the ball out wide for Howe to dive over in the corner. Ronan O'Gara then converted to give the Irish a 7-0 early lead.

It was obvious from the first 15 minutes that Ireland were intent on playing in the Springboks' half and both O'Gara and centre Brian O'Driscoll seemed intent of kicking the ball towards the right-hand corner of the field.

Ireland suffered a blow when full-back Girvan Dempsey had to leave the field after 18 minutes following a clash of heads. He was replaced by Gavin Duffy.

The Boks hit back immediately as a great run down the right by returning full-back Percy Montgomery put Breyton Paulse over in the corner.

The Springboks continued to apply the pressure after that and had several opportunities to add to Paulse's try. They could not breach the Irish defence however and had to settle for a Montgomery penalty and a 13-7 lead after 27 minutes.

Matters deteriorated just before the break when prop Reggie Corrigan was sin-binned for a flurry of punches on Paulse.

From the next move the Springboks launched a series of attacks and were rewarded when Jacque Fourie scored in the right-hand corner. Montgomery converted but O'Gara landed a drop goal on the stroke of half-time to cut the Boks' lead to 20-10.

Ten minutes into the second half Irish captain O'Driscoll was penalised for holding on too long and Montgomery added another penalty but Irelands prospects improved when South Africa centre Wayne Julies was sin-binned for a handling offence.

The tourists made the most of this numerical advantage in the 62nd minute when Humphreys clever kick bounced kindly for O'Driscoll who burst through to score a try and a Humphreys conversion reduced the deficit to six points.

However, with the last kick of the game in injury-time Montgomery secured the result for South Africa with a penalty in front of the posts.