Ireland 38 South Africa 3: Ireland player ratings

Rob Kearney

Out of action more often than not these past two years and it showed. Jumped for high balls only to land empty handed. Failed to mop up possession on 38 minutes when better scavengers than these sorry Springboks would have profited. Penalised on the ground for carrying into heavy traffic. Rating: 5

Andrew Conway

Camouflaged jersey allowed him snatch ball and coast for first international try. As a teenager this winger showed uncontainable potential on his Leinster debut. Now 26 and of Munster, he's fast becoming a cerebral Joe Schmidt winger. Tidy up his kicking and aerial play and he stays in team. Rating: 7

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Robbie Henshaw

Epitomised collective work ethic and clearly enjoys life at outside centre but it looks like Schmidt might be right: 12 is his natural position. But what to do when Garry Ringrose returns? Ridiculously, handling errors may put his starting berth under pressure come the Six Nations. Rating: 7

Bundee Aki

Welcome aboard. Nearing the finished article, and unquestionably an international calibre inside centre, he broke the Springboks tighthead prop Coenie Oosthuyzen in the opening collision. Belted into Siya Kolisi and stopped Damian de Allende then Francois Louw behind the gainline. Rating: 8

Jacob Stockdale

Great try on home debut. The man and ball smash on Dillyn Leyds provided a glimpse into the next decade with this powerful Ulster man. Nice piece of fielding and gathering on 56 minutes got him into a game that went largely down the other wing. Worth a look at 15 against Fiji. Rating: 8

Johnny Sexton

The rhythm section hummed to its conductor's will. Owned the ball, put it wherever he liked, missed the conversion of Conway's try in the right corner but built a tidy lead with three first half penalties. Ran off the pitch in fine fettle on 75 minutes - an indictment of these Springboks in itself - to give Joey Carbery a look. Rating: 7

Conor Murray

Crucial figure in the Irish line speed and defensive coverage, running into the outhalf channel to hammer first up, clueless South African carriers. Usual kicking masterclass with the rarest of handling errors dropping his usual 8/9 guarantee. Rating: 7

Cian Healy

An hour plus change to convince Schmidt, Simon Easterby and Greg Feek that this old number one can be the first name on the team sheet once again. Thirty minutes seems to suit his explosiveness but the battle with Jack McGrath and Dave Kilcoyne is roaring again. Rating: 7

Rory Best

The captain's role played with a calmness that forced referee Ben O'Keeffe to inform Sexton at one stage, 'I already told Rory the reason why.' Excellent turnover on 65 minutes swayed the contest deep into Springbok territory. There ended his 66 minute shift. Rating: 7

Tadhg Furlong

Last act was a scrum penalty. Forced Tendai 'Beast' Mtawaira to take a knee in a few scrums as this Wexford ox reinforced his summer status as Europe's leading tighthead prop. Eleven tackles is freakish prop numbers. Global domination awaits. Interesting to see Andrew Porter in the warm-up. Furlong needs the competition. Rating: 8

Iain Henderson

Ran over Lood de Jager then Eben Etzebeth as he brought his destructive capabilities back home from the Lions tour. The best lock in Ireland, Henderson has positioned himself for a top tier national contract. Rating: 8

Devin Toner

Such is his double digit tackle count and structural importance he will need to be forcibly removed from this Ireland team. The hint came last March when discarded against England with James Ryan charged with growing into Toner's sphere of influence. Some benchmark. Rating: 7

Peter O’Mahony

Backed up leadership speak mid-week with an all encompassing display. Superb out of touch, stealing or putting pressure on Malcolm Marx's throw, while his secondary work at rucks cannot be overstated. Replaced due to punishment and the need to reward Rhys Ruddock's provincial form. Rating: 8

Sean O’Brien

Fourteen tackles and he's only tuning up. Made a new pal in Malcolm Marx. Cut from the same slab of granite the pair of them broke even in their wincing meetings on the gainline. Constantly delving disruptive paws into South African rucks. Rating: 8

CJ Stander

Loved the attention, relished every shoulder from Francois Louw and the other Springbok backrowers - of whom not one could honestly claim to be a superior player as this "small" South African number eight topped his day with a perfect turnover on 31 minutes to deny his fellow country men their best try scoring opportunity. Rating: 8

Replacements

Rhys Ruddock arrived on 50 minutes and wasted little time securing a clean turnover penalty (two more inches and he'd be the starting lock). His superb try on 70 minutes killed the contest. Rob Herring scored against his own country. Rating: 7

Coach

The game plan was clean, efficient and full of clever launch plays. The opposition was pathetic in their execution. Dark days for Springbok rugby. Progress by Schmidt and co. Rating: 8