Springboks level series against Ireland with stunning fightback

South Africa 32-26 Ireland, Emirates Airline Park
Scorecard 

South Africa made an excellent comeback managing to score four tries in a span of 20 minutes in the second-half to come from 3-19 behind at half-time and completing a 32-26 victory in the second Test against Ireland in Johannesburg.

The win has denied Ireland their maiden Test series victory over the Springboks in the South African soil after their 20-26 victory in the first game in Cape Town.

It was the Springboks, who opened their account first with a penalty kick from fly-half Elton Jantjies after Ireland's Tadhg Furlong was penalised. However, that was the only success for the home side in the first half as Paddy Jackson added four penalties for Ireland in 17 minutes.

Willie le Roux and Damian de Allende stepped up the pressure to score tries but was defended successfully by Devin Toner and Connor Murray.

Adriaan Strauss opted against a penalty kick and went for a corner but it was Toner once again followed by Robbie Henshaw, who denied South Africa a possible try.

The first try of the game in the 33rd minute for Ireland when flanker Rhys Ruddock off-loaded one to Toner as he touched down the line. With Jackson adding the extras, Ireland managed a 19-3 scoreline at the half-time.

There was more intent from the Springboks in the second half and in the 55th minute Jackson's clearing kick was brought into play by le Roux, who overcame Jared Payne and Jack McGrath allowing Ruan Combrinck to bulldoze to South Africa's first try.

However, the converted try from South Africa was immediately negated by Jamie Heaslip, who crossed the line in the 59th minute.

By the 60th minute, Ireland had a 16-point lead over the Springboks and looked favourites to win the game but the South African fightback took a spring in the step as replacement Warren Whiteley, Pieter-Steph du Toit and de Allende scored a try each between 63rd and 75th minute breaching the Irish defence.

Jantjies converted two of the three tries and scored a penalty in the final minute to seal a 32-26 victory for the Springboks. With one of the most remarkable fightback ever, the Springboks also managed to level the series 1-1 with one more game to go.