Sports Digest - Rugby series starts on a losing not after Ireland’s collapse against South Africa

Ireland loses to South Africa

Heaslip said, “We started well in the first half and built up a good lead. We came out in the second half and as captain I should lead by example, but being yellow-carded wasn’t a good example.

“I put my hand up straight away when we came in afterwards. I’m a better servant on the field than off it.”

Heaslip admitted the second half South African dominance was a chastening experience.

He added, “We were a little bit frustrated we weren’t further ahead at half-time. They were quite clever about how they played the game when they had the ball. I don’t know how many opportunities we had.

“But we were still very confident and focused on what we had to do. We knew they’d have a purple patch, but felt we could keep our momentum.”

O’Connell and Ferris are out of the remaining autumn internationals against Fiji and Argentina with injuries. Scrum-half Eoin Reddan is doubtful for the Fiji game but Donnacha Ryan and Cian Healy should be fit to play.

​
Nster.com