The Irish rugby team have retained the top-spot in global rankings following a tight win against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup. 

Ireland beat defending champions South Africa by 13 points to eight at the Stade de France in Paris last night. 

Mack Hansen scored the only Irish try, while Johnny Sexton kicked five points and Jack Crowley’s late penalty proved crucial to an Irish win. 

South Africa scored through a try by Cheslin Kolbe and single Manie Libbok penalty, but the latter and Faf de Klerk missed four further efforts to catch up with Ireland. 

Irish Rugby Captain Johnny Sexton said the match was the “perfect test” for the team as they battled against South Africa’s ‘Nuke Squad’ of seven forwards. 

The team remains in pole position in the pool B group of the World Cup and has now propelled themselves to the cusp of the quarter finals. 

Bundee Aki playing for Ireland vs South Africa at the Rugby World Cup, 23/09/2023. Image: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Roughly 30,000 Irish fans travelled to Paris to watch what many described as an amazing match. 

“Ireland was in control for all of the first half, we struggled a bit in the second half, but we kept our heads and we won comfortably,” one fan told Newstalk. 

“We deserved a victory.” 

One South African fan agreed it was an “amazing result” for Ireland, who “deserved everything they got”. 

Ireland will play again on October 7th against Scotland, who play Tonga today in Nice.