2004 Ireland rugby union tour of South Africa

Ireland travelled to South Africa in June 2004, having won their first Triple Crown since 1985, and beaten the champions of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, England in their first home game since the final. [ cite web|publisher=BBC|title=England 13-19 Ireland|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3530043.stm|accessdaymonth=15 November |accessyear=2006] As a result, the Irish manager, Eddie O'Sullivan, was confident that Ireland would achieve their first win over South Africa in 39 years, their only previous victory having come in Dublin in 1965.

By contrast, South Africa had just changed their coach to Jake White and he had radically changed the team for his first test since taking charge of the Springboks. The first of the two game test series was played at altitude in Bloemfontein and South Africa eventually won the match 31-17, despite the scores being level at 11-all at half time. [ cite web|publisher=BBC|title=South Africa 31-17 Ireland|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3795409.stm|accessdaymonth=15 November |accessyear=2006]

The second match was played in the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, and was a closer affair. However, South Africa maintained their unbeaten record against Ireland on home soil by winning 26-17. [ cite web|publisher=BBC|title=South Africa 26-17 Ireland|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3816597.stm|accessdaymonth=15 November |accessyear=2006]

Matches

rugbybox
date = June 12 2004

home = ru-rt|RSA | score = 31 – 17
away = ru|IRE | homescore = Tries: Bakkies Botha (2)
Wayne Julies
Pedrie Wannenburg Con: Gaffe du Toit Pen: Gaffe du Toit | awayscore = Try: Shane Horgan
Con:
Pen: Ronan O'Gara | stadium = Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
attendance = 39,000
referee = Tony Spreadbury flagicon|ENG [ [http://www.irishrugby.ie/6855_3753.php Irish Lose In Bloemfontein] ] ----rugbybox
date = June 19 2004

home = ru-rt|RSA | score = 26 – 17
away = ru|IRE | homescore = Tries: Breyton Paulse, Jacque Fourie
Con: Percy Montgomery (2)
Pen: Percy Montgomery (4) | awayscore = Try: Tyrone Howe
Con: Ronan O'Gara Drop Goal: Ronan O'Gara
Pen: | stadium = Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
attendance =
referee = Joel Jutge flagicon|FRA [ [http://www.irishrugby.ie/6855_3780.php Springboks Win Series] ]

Touring Party

*Manager: Eddie O'Sullivan
*Captain: Brian O'Driscoll

Backs

Forwards

[ [http://www.irishrugby.ie/6855_3693.php www.irishrugby.ie] ]

ee also

* Ireland vs South Africa at rugby union

References