If you dropped a euro in a jar every time the word chaotic was used at Aviva Stadium last night, it wouldn't have been long to fill up.
One of Andy Farrell's constant messages is how he wants his side to be comfortable in the chaos, just as they were in Murrayfield in 2023 when the injuries were mounting and Cian Healy packed down at hooker and Josh van der Flier was throwing into lineouts.
That chaos paled in comparison to the opening half of rugby at the Aviva last night; summed up by Mack Hansen taking the kick-off for the second half, as 12-man Ireland trailed the Springboks 19-7.
First, James Ryan was given a 20-minute red card for a high clearance on Malcolm Marx, before Sam Prendergast walked the line with a yellow card after repeated team infringements.
Just as it looked like the home side would get into the sheds just five points behind at 12-7 and back to 14 players when Cian Prendergast came in after the 20-minute card expired, the wheels came off the wagon with Jack Crowley and Andrew Porter joining the younger Prendergast brother in the sin-bin, and a penalty try gave the South Africans a reward for their destructive scrum.
For Crowley (below), his yellow card was unfortunately at a crucial swing with 30 seconds of regulation time left in the half.
Having come in for Tommy O’Brien a few moments earlier, Crowley was spotted by the TMO playing the ball out of Cobus Reinach’s hands at the base of a ruck, an act he admits was "costly".
"Just coming in, you're trying to bring that energy in," he said as he looked back on the moment, after the 24-13 defeat
"I probably went over that edge and was a little bit desperate trying to put back-end pressure. As a result, it was costly. There are things you're trying to avoid.
"It's in my control to avoid that. It's something frustrating for the group, the impact it has.
"They're a world-class side. Big men, physical, they'll challenge you up front. We got what we expected from them.
"They're a world-class side, and if you do lack discipline, like we did at times, they're going to punish you."
Despite a 20-minute red and four yellow cards, as well as scrum that gave up six penalties and multiple penalty advantages, Ireland somehow still had a chance heading into the final 10 minutes, thanks in no small part to the Munster out-half who made two crucial interventions in his own 22.
As frustrated as they were by their own mistakes, Crowley believes their ability to stay in the fight will stand to them going forward.
"To be down to 12 men - and I know there was obviously the penalty try - but to not concede outside of that, the way that the forwards defended on our goal line to get the penalty underneath the post in the second half, the clearance kick, that can't be looked past.
"I know it might have looked like we conceded yards and they were in our 22 a lot.
"Then towards the last 10 minutes, we released the valve and we got down there. To be part of that group, that's why it hurts when you do go off the field and you're hurting the group.
"But the belief, the fight for one another and how we want to represent each other, because we know what work lads are putting in, we know what work the coaches are putting in, and we have unbelievable pride to represent one another out there, those that are playing and those that aren't."
Those words echoed Ireland captain Caelan Doris, as he did his best to put a positive spin on a humbling defeat.
"It was pretty unique," Doris said.
"Chaotic is the word that sums it up, definitely. Like Faz's [Andy Farrell’s] reference earlier, I'm proud of the fight, the courage, the character that we showed at times.
"I do think, obviously, you want that to transfer into points and results, but I do think it's going to stand to us going forward, definitely.
"There was a good reset at half-time and there was excitement about going out and enjoying the chaotic nature and trying to stay calm within that and keep fighting."
