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Ireland's Paddy McCarthy on the ball. SteveHaagSports/Darren Stewart/INPHO

As it happened: Ireland v South Africa, World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final

Catch up on all the action as Richie Murphy’s side battled for a place in the final.

Good afternoon and welcome along to our live coverage of the World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final between Ireland and South Africa.

Kick-off is at 3.30pm as Richie Murphy’s side look to book a place in the final where they will take on either France or England.

It’s been a hugely emotional week for this Ireland team as they look to become the first Ireland team in seven years to reach the final at this grade.

We’ll have team line-ups for you in the next few minutes as we edge towards the kick-off.

Here are the teams that will line out today

Ireland U20: Henry McErlean; Andrew Osborne, Hugh Gavin, John Devine, James Nicholson; Sam Prendergast, Fintan Gunne; Paddy McCarthy, Gus McCarthy, Ronan Foxe; Charlie Irvine, Conor O’Tighearnaigh; Diarmuid Mangan, Ruadhan Quinn, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Danny Sheahan, George Hadden, Fiachna Barrett, Evan O’Connell, Dan Barron, Oscar Cawley, Matthew Lynch, Sam Berman.

South Africa U20: Hakeem Kunene; Jurenzo Julius, Katlego Letebele, Ethan Hooker, Michael Annies; Jean Smith, Imad Khan; Corné Lavagna, Juann Else, Dian Heunis; Coetzee le Roux, JF van Heerden; Paul de Villiers (capt), Ghudian van Reenen, Corné Beets.

Replacements: SJ Kotze, Phatu Ganyane, Zachary Porthen, Jannes Potgieter, Abulele Ndabambi, Asad Moos, Damian Markus, Regan Izaks.

Kick-off is just a few minutes away. Let us know your thoughts below about how you think this one will go.

The pitch doesn’t look to be in great condition and could make for a slippery surface today.

The teams are standing for the national anthems now. Ireland completed back-to-back Grand Slam triumphs earlier this year and will look to add world glory to that having topped Pool B with two wins and a draw.

Kick-Off! Ireland 0-0 South Africa

1 min: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Sam Prendergast gets us underway and now they’re getting their first maul of the game rolling.

5 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

South Africa successfully put in for the first scrum after a reset. They kick possession straight back to Ireland and exchange kicks over the top with Henry McErlean.

The sequence ends with James Nicholson booting it out for a South Africa lineout.

6 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

South Africa find the corner but the lineout throw from Juann Else has been deemed to be not straight which gives Ireland a chance to clear the danger.

First to the scrum to get that going.

9 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Nicholson finds touch to relieve the pressure. But South Africa come powering down through the phases and put the Irish backs under severe pressure.

The ball gets cleared but not for long as the host side advance again. But Ireland have another scrum now just outside the five metre line so this is a crucial one.

11 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Fintan Gunne gets the ball out and throws it back to John Devine. He tries to kick clear but slices his effort which costs them a bit in territory as he finds touch.

12 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Lovely piece of skill from Prendergast to release a crossfield pass which finds Nicholson. But he gets swallowed up to kill off the attack.

Meanwhile, there’s a TMO check taking place now to look for foul play.

13 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

So the South Africa full-back Hakeem Kunene has been punished for tackling Andrew Osborne in a vulnerable position in a ruck, meaning it’s a penalty for Ireland.

They make good use of it as they start marching forward. But again they are undone by an error as Brian Gleeson is penalised, and a penalty is called for South Africa.

15 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Ireland under a lot of pressure during a South Africa attack but they deal with it and win possession back. Prendergast releases a monstrous kick that goes all the way to the South Africa tryline but there’s no-one in a green jersey there in time to finish the move.

South Africa get the ball back.

19 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Play is quite static, save for a few bursts from the South Africa team. Ireland still waiting to get a real foothold on this game.

20 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Another impressive attack from South Africa, and out-half Jean Smith sends them down to the corner again. 

22 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Big let-off for Ireland as they get possession back from a knock-on. They’re keeping their lines clear and holding South Africa back but they need to get forward more and spend some time in South African territory.

25 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Fantastic workrate from Ireland there to turn the ball over. It ends with a knock-on which sees Ireland put in for a scrum.

26 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Massive moment as South Africa come close to breaking the deadlock.

Jurenzo Julius puts the foot on the gas to make an outstanding break and put Ireland’s backs to the wall. They kick the ball across the Irish tryline but Nicholson gets back in time to throw his body on the ball and ensure their opponents don’t get any points.

32 min: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Finally, Ireland get down into the South Africa 22 and get their maul moving from a lineout.

32 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Superb attacking play from Ireland as they work the passes to get to the tryline. Diarmuid Mangan reaches over but has he got the ball to the line?

Over to the TMO.

33 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

And it’s short…

So unfortunate for Ireland after absorbing all that pressure. It would have been a deserved reward but they have a scrum instead.

36 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

Serious hit on Andrew Osborne there after he kicked the ball. The TMO is having a look.

37 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa

And that’s a yellow card for Jannes Potgieter. Correct call, really. It was a late charge and high too. Ireland will have the numerical advantage for the rest of the half.

TRY! Ireland 7-0 South Africa (Nicholson ’38)

39 mins: Ireland 7-0 South Africa

What a turnaround!

Great run from Nicholson along the wing to finish off the attack get the first try of the game. It certainly wasn’t looking like Ireland would be taking the lead based on most of the first-half action, but that’s a super response.

Half-Time: Ireland 7-0 South Africa

HT: Ireland 7-0 South Africa

Sam Prendergast adds the conversion and Ireland are in an ideal position at the break. Jean Smith tried to score a drop goal at the other end right at the death but it just trailed wide.

However, Ireland will have to build on this in the second half because they have struggled in several facets of the game, and South Africa will rally again after the restart.

Second Half: Ireland 7-0 South Africa

41 mins: Ireland 7-0 South Africa

Not the best start as McErlean slices his kick into touch. It should be restated again that the playing conditions are rough and mucky.

43 mins: Ireland 7-0 South Africa

Another let-off for Ireland as Jean Smith fails to split the posts from a penalty.

45 mins: Ireland 7-0 South Africa

And again, Smith squanders an opportunity to pick up points from a penalty.

TRY! Ireland 7-7 South Africa (Khan ’46)

49 mins: Ireland 7-7 South Africa

Disaster for Ireland, and we can’t say that it hasn’t been coming. After two missed penalties from Smith, the scrum-half Imad Khan races through to complete an impressive move and leaps in under the posts to get South Africa’s first try.

Smith taps over the extras and we’re back to a level game.

Prendergast gets Ireland into the corner at the other end as  Sam Berman comes in.

TRY! Ireland 14-7 South Africa (Gleeson ’50)

51 mins: Ireland 14-7 South Africa

What a reply from Ireland, and what a carry from the number eight, Brian Gleeson. Again, Prendergast converts and Ireland put their noses out in front again. 

After a very quiet first half in the scoring stakes, we’ve had two tries in the opening 10 minutes.

53 mins: Ireland 14-7 South Africa

UNLUCKY!

Ireland pounce to execute a turnover on the five-metre line. A super block down and Osborne tries to reach for the line after gathering the ball, but the referee calls for a penalty.

TRY! Ireland 21-7 South Africa (Nicholson ’60)

63 mins: Ireland 21-7 South Africa

Nicholson in again for his second try, and Ireland’s third. Again he gets under a crossfield pass from Prendergast and dashes over to strengthen Ireland’s advantage.

Prendergast slings over the conversion from a tricky angle and Ireland have really turned this game around.

TRY! Ireland 28-7 South Africa (Berman ’66)

68 mins: Ireland 28-7 South Africa

Substitute Sam Berman dances his way over the line, and surely that’s the score that sends the Ireland U20s into the World Cup final. Prendergast maintains his flawless return from conversion kicks.

71 mins: Ireland 31-7 South Africa

Prendergast expands the margin once again with a well struck penalty, as Ireland start to run the bench and bring in some fresh legs for the last 10 minutes.

74 mins: Ireland 28-7 South Africa

South Africa are coming hunting for a consolation try. Ireland’s defensive line is holding very well.

TRY! Ireland 31-12 South Africa (’75  le Roux)

Full-Time! Ireland 31-12 South Africa

Ireland 31-12 South Africa

Well, what about that? Ireland overcome those first-half struggles to storm their way into the World Rugby U20 Championship final.

Two tries from James Nicholson, along with others from Brian Gleeson and Sam Berman send Richie Murphy’s side into Friday’s decider where they will face either France or England.

South Africa got a late consolation try, but even with that, they simply had no answer for Ireland’s strength and power.

Well, that’s all from us, folks. We hope you enjoyed the coverage and we hope to have you with us again soon.

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66 Comments
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    Mute Kieron Duffin
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    May 10th 2016, 10:34 AM

    What are ya’s on about who’s paying who ? It’s no advertorial ! Am I the only one surprised and delighted them girls are getting a kit deal worth €60,000 ? I remember in my own county the great Wexford camogie team of the time having to scrimp and save to get a bloody holiday, even though they won an All Ireland, went so far that they done bag packing in Dunnes FFS ! Imagine the men doing that !!! Ladies sport, OK, it’s debatable that it’s not as entertaining as the men’s game but they don’t deserve to be treated as second class citizens ! Fair play girls, f@€( the begrudgers.

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    Mute Leo Lowe
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    May 10th 2016, 10:38 AM

    Is a yas anything like a yak?

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    Mute Kieron Duffin
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    May 10th 2016, 10:43 AM

    Stay off the internet when you’re drunk like a good lad.

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    May 10th 2016, 10:52 AM

    Kieran.. Maybe you should sponsor the Wexford team if you feel so strongly about it..

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    Mute Kieron Duffin
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    May 10th 2016, 10:54 AM

    Maybe I did Marc.

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    Mute Jumperoo
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    May 10th 2016, 9:15 AM

    I reckon this piece should be marked as an advertorial for McKeever Sports/thegaastore.com

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    May 10th 2016, 11:38 AM

    Fair play to them. Sporting legends and really need to be recognised so…

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    Mute paddy
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    May 10th 2016, 12:37 PM

    Yeah Arthur absolute legends known throughout the country

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    May 10th 2016, 7:03 AM

    Is that the old style crest? How come the men aren’t allowed use that?

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    Mute Donncha Ó Ríordáin
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    May 10th 2016, 11:41 AM

    can’t vouch for the ladies team continues with the old crest but I’m fairly sure the men’s team brought out the new crest which was in turn copyrighted by the county board. whatever way you look at it there was money involved.

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    Mute Paul Collins
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    May 10th 2016, 12:00 PM

    The crest used here is the coat of arms of Cork City. The Cork GAA teams (i.e. the mens) came up with a new crest a few years back. I assume that because the Ladies Gaelic Football Association is (bizarrely) not a part of the GAA they can’t use it…

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    May 10th 2016, 4:14 PM

    Ya Donncha, I know in Tipp and other counties it was a trademark issue and county boards came up with their own makey upey ones and I’d imagine it was money related indeed. Which begs the question are county boards now run like companies just like pro clubs?

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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    May 10th 2016, 7:27 AM

    Is it just me or does the adidas gear look crap when you know it’s sort of fake

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    Mute Lad
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    May 10th 2016, 12:35 PM

    Fake?

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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    May 10th 2016, 3:18 PM

    @lad I’m pretty sure no one working for adidas apart from the factory workers in Pakistan know about the gear still a great deal though

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    Mute Coco Beware
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    May 10th 2016, 12:25 PM

    Bet Anna Geary will be looking savage in it oh & Aisling Thompson too, sexy ladies

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    Mute Veronica
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    May 10th 2016, 5:22 PM

    @coco expect Ann Geary has retired from inter county playing now..

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    May 10th 2016, 7:46 AM

    Free kit for the next three years…..a saving for the cork county board. If its a print (white on the inside) its shit just like the o’neills ones

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    Mute john
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    May 10th 2016, 9:11 AM

    Yeah the county jerseys are the same price as soccer ones but the county jerseys are poorer quality

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    Mute Tony Mcgrath
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    May 10th 2016, 9:33 AM

    Who is paying who for this article

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    Mute Veronica
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    May 10th 2016, 5:24 PM

    About time the girls got something, they always play better & win more then the guys do.. Cork GAA hasn’t won hurling since 2005 & Football since 2010, shame on them…

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    Mute paddy
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    May 10th 2016, 12:35 PM

    Sixty grand wow it must be a really popular game

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    Mute Kieran Fitzgerald
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    May 10th 2016, 6:13 PM

    Jesus that’s ugly.

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