Despite putting in a strong final quarter, which went some way to compensate for what went before, Ireland ended up losing the second Test, 26-17 in Cape Town today. They looked right out of contention at the interval, but came back to get within a score of the Sprinboks who in the end needed a late penalty to secure their victory.

Ireland were clearly second best in the opening half despite an early Tyrone Howe try and they were fortunate to be only ten points in arrears at half-time (20-10), the half closing with an injury-time Ronan O'Gara drop-goal.

In truth, Ireland looked well and truly out of it at that stage and they went further behind when Percy Montgomery landed a 51th minute penalty. However, Ireland then produced their best sustained passage of the entire match and a Brian O'Driscoll try in the 63rd minute - from a little chip through by replacement David Humphreys who also converted - left the Irish within a point of the lead.

South Africa had to defend fiercely to keep the Irish out and in the end Montgomery's final penalty secure the home side their win.