Ciaran Frawley coolly landed a last-gasp drop goal as Ireland weathered a second-half storm to pull off a stunning 25-24 victory in Durban and secure a 1-1 series draw against South Africa.
Frawley stepped off the bench to split the posts in dramatic fashion with the final action of a thrilling encounter at Kings Park Stadium following a similar effort just 10 minutes earlier.
Andy Farrell’s side looked set to slip to an agonising defeat to the back-to-back world champions after Conor Murray’s try helped reward a ferocious first-half display with a 16-6 lead.
Flawless fly-half Handre Pollard slotted eight penalties to turn the contest in the Springboks’ favour on the back of their 27-20 triumph last weekend in Pretoria.
But Frawley sensationally added to 14 points from Ireland number 10 Jack Crowley to secure a statement success from Farrell’s 50th Test as head coach.
The extraordinary twist came at the end of an undisciplined second period from Ireland during which stand-in captain Caelan Doris was sin-binned.
South Africa: le Roux, Kolbe, Kriel, de Allende, Arendse Pollard, de Klerk, Nche, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert Kolisi, P. du Toit, Smith.
Replacements: Marx, Steenekamp, Koch, Moerat, Snyman van Staden, Williams, Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Ireland: Osborne, Nash, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe, Crowley Murray, Porter, Kelleher, Furlong, McCarthy, Ryan, Beirne van der Flier, Doris.
Replacements: Herring, Healy, Bealham, Baird, O’Mahony, Blade Frawley, McCloskey.
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
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