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Mon 11 Nov 2009Springboks scalp sees out stellar year
RUGBY/ AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS: IRELAND’S MOST stellar of rugby years could hardly have been rounded off on a more satisfying note. By dint of outmuscling, outlasting and ultimately outthinking the Springboks, Ireland completed a hat-trick of home wins over South Africa, an all-time record of 11 matches without defeat, and completed a first unbeaten calendar year, comprised of 10 wins and one draw, since 1985 – but that contained just four matches.
Considering where they were at this point last year, grimly clinging on to eighth in the world after a taut win over Argentina had followed the All Blacks’ bloodless coup a week before at Croke Park, it’s been some turnaround.
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