Irish fans had never seen anything like it with three yellow cards and an upgraded red card all before half-time.
Given the heroic second half and upbeat end of the match against South Africa, Ireland will ask themselves at what cost was the first energy-sapping half.
The first 40 minutes against the world champions started with a shoulder hit on Tommy O’Brien’s head after only six minutes for which there was no card sanction.
Then just as Tadhg Beirne appeared to have scored a try for Ireland on 19 minutes, referee Matthew Carley brought back play to watch a replay of James Ryan leaping over a pile of bodies to hit Malcom Marx on the nose with his shoulder.
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For that, the Beirne try was scratched and the Irish lock was sent to the line with a yellow card, which was later upgraded to a red.
From that point on it was like watching a chain reaction of pain and hurt for the Irish players as South Africa sensed weakness and squeezed.
Five minutes after Ryan walked away and as Ireland came under renewed pressure in the maul and the Springboks having an extra man is when the penalty count began sky rocket.
Irish outhalf Sam Prendergast was yellow carded for offside. His card was a team offside because of all the previous infringements and Carley had to simply pick the next foul, which was Prendergast. Off he went.
Unbelievably as the Springboks continued to press, Jack Crowley was spotted by Carley cynically using his hands in a ruck. That required another yellow card for Ireland on 39 minutes. Off he went too.
As Ireland back-pedalled and Rassie Erasmus, the Springbok coach brought on fresh props before the break, referee Carley lost patience with the continued penalties Ireland were giving away.
It was inevitable another card would come. Just where nobody knew but Ireland were doing anything they could to stop the green ‘Bok shirts sweeping forward.
This time it was Irish prop Andrew Porter, who was picked out of the line-up and the fourth Irish player was sent to the line.
Ryan 19 minutes, Prendergast 34 minutes, Crowley 39 minutes and Porter on 40 minutes.
One red card and three yellow cards with Ireland finishing the first half with just 12 players on the field was an extraordinary sequence of play and in the end hugely damaging.
