Ireland began their autumn campaign in style with a gripping 19-16 win over world champions South Africa in Dublin.
Two tries in three second-half minutes from Josh van der Flier and Mack Hansen put Ireland on course for a 10th successive home win as they withstood a late Springboks fightback.
Here is how we rated the players...
Hugo Keenan - 8
Any concerns around Keenan being propelled straight into the starting line-up on his return from injury were quickly dispelled.
The full-back barely put a foot wrong. He would have expected more of an aerial bombardment but was equal to anything South Africa threw at him, while he linked up well in attack and had a hand in Mack Hansen's try.
Robert Baloucoune - 7
Popped up with some big moments in defence, snuffing out a Jaden Hendrikse grubber inside his own 22 before half-time and producing a huge hit on Willie le Roux during a tense finale.
Garry Ringrose - 8
Was in the right place to take Conor Murray’s partially-blocked box-kick, which led to Johnny Sexton’s early penalty. Made a huge tackle on Cheslin Kolbe moments later, the first of many big moments in defence from the in-form centre.
Looked equally at home at 12 after Stuart McCloskey departed, beating four defenders.
Stuart McCloskey - 7
The Ulsterman had waited a long time for an opportunity with Ireland and make a big impact, combining some big defensive hits with his trademark carries and soft hands.
It was a shame to see him depart with an arm injury after 26 minutes.
Mack Hansen - 8
Got Ireland out of trouble during the first half by recovering a couple of errant passes, and was then dumped on his head by a combination of Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kolbe, with the latter fortunate to only see yellow.
Hansen continued to chase hard and was rewarded in the second half when he finished off a sublime counter-attack.
Johnny Sexton - 7
Partnered up with McCloskey in defence early on but was frustrated with some wayward passing under pressure.
Sexton's leadership grew as the game wore on and after shaking off a leg knock, his decision to decline an easy three points and kick to the corner proved an inspired one as Josh van der Flier dotted down.
Was off target with two touchline conversions but nailed a late penalty to put eight points between the teams.
Conor Murray - 7
Murray’s influence was growing when a trademark dummy off a lineout took Ireland into the South African 22, only for him to suffer a leg injury in the process.
A sad way to end his 100th Ireland appearance but he kicked accurately and showed great awareness at scrum time on the half-hour to catch Jasper Wiese napping.
Andrew Porter - 8
Was well prepared for what was coming at scrum time and won a penalty against Vincent Koch within minutes of the Bok tighthead’s introduction.
Combined with Finlay Bealham in the lead-up to Hansen’s try and put his strength to good use against the most physical of opponents.
Dan Sheehan - 7
Another all-action display from the hooker and went agonisingly close to a charge-down try. Atoned for a couple of errant lineout throws with some big tackles, while his throw was on the money for Van der Flier’s try as he found Peter O’Mahony.
Tadhg Furlong - 7
Furlong held firm as Ireland’s defence was put under enormous pressure during the first half. The tighthead’s carrying wasn’t as explosive in such a tight contest but he showcased his brute strength on half-time when withstanding three Boks to carry out from his in-goal area and avoid a five-metre scrum.
Hurt his ankle while making that big carry and did not appear for the second half.
Tadhg Beirne - 7
The bloodied lock made 10 tackles, one of five Ireland players to hit double figures, and also popped up with a trademark turnover. Lovely hands in the build-up to Hansen’s try.
James Ryan - 8
Disrupted South Africa’s lineout at crucial moments, including just before half-time when he made a steal on his own five-metre line. Made 15 tackles and eight carries in a fine 80-minute display.
Peter O’Mahony - 7
Won two big turnovers, one in each half, and loved getting in the face of his frustrated opponents. Made seven carries and was a strong option at lineout time.
Josh van der Flier - 9
The flanker’s decision to sport a red scrum cap and yellow boots proved an inspired one as it allowed the TMO to spot he had somehow managed to remain in touch when touching down off a lineout drive.
Van der Flier was once again heroic, making 16 tackles in the face of some brutal physicality. The heartbeat of this Ireland team.
Caelan Doris - 8
Combined with McCloskey to win a big jackal penalty against opposite number Jasper Wiese during the first half. Won another couple of turnovers in the second half while also producing a number of big hits in defence.
Doris reacted quickest when the ball squirmed out on the South African side of a ruck, which led to Hansen’s try.
Replacements
Rob Herring - 7 (for Sheehan 63)
A decent cameo from the Ulsterman, who found Jack Conan with a crucial late lineout to help close out victory.
Cian Healy - 6 (for Porter 68)
A barnstorming run took Ireland into opposition 22 and caused South Africa to stray offside, which led to Sexton’s crucial late penalty.
Finlay Bealham - 7 (for Furlong ht)
The Springboks pack smelt blood when Bealham appeared for the second half but the tighthead immediately showed he was no pushover by winning an early scrum penalty.
Didn't have it all his own way at scrum time but impressed in the loose and was involved in Connacht team-mate Hansen’s try.
Kieran Treadwell - 6 (for Beirne 63)
Made four tackles and four carries during the closing stages to help Ireland close out victory.
Jack Conan - 6 (for O’Mahony 68)
Big lineout win at the death and produced some much-needed freshness in defence.
Jamison Gibson-Park - 8 (for Murray 35)
Was called into action earlier than expected on his return from injury but quickly got up to the speed of the contest.
Box-kicking was loose but brought plenty of attacking spark which included a lovely line break in the counter-attack for Hansen’s try.
Joey Carbery - 6 (for Sexton 76)
Another brief appearance for the Munster out-half.
Jimmy O’Brien - 9 (for McCloskey 26)
A debut to remember for the 25-year-old. Playing in the unfamiliar position of outside centre, he made a try-saving tackle on Kolbe, one of many big moments in defence, and used his left boot to great effect.
Provided the scoring pass for Hansen and made two line breaks, beating a couple of defenders.
