RUGBY WRAP: Springboks fall in Dublin; Blitzboks finish eighth in Hong Kong and Pumas upset England at Twickenham

Ireland trump Boks in Aviva showdown

Ireland fronted up well to the Springboks’ physicality to come away with a 19-16 win at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday. The World No 1-ranked side were solid in defence and took their chances when they presented themselves, while the Boks were left to lament some missed kicks at goal and a lack of accuracy at crucial moments. The Irish totally stifled the Boks’ rolling maul while Damian Willemse had a day to forget at flyhalf, botching a number of chances; particularly off the boot.

Not for the first time this season, the world champs were unable to find a way to beat an opponent that could match them physically. It won’t get any easier for them when they take on the might of the French this weekend.

Aussie Sevens take Hong Kong, Blitzboks struggle

Defending World Rugby Sevens Series champions Australia defeated Fiji 20-17 to win their first Hong Kong title since 1988. France finished third after seeing off Samoa in the Bronze final.

Meanwhile, a late Tomas Lizazu try saw Argentina beat the Blitzboks 19-12 in the 5th-place semi-final. The South Africans scraped through their Pool before succumbing to Fiji in the Cup quarterfinals. Sandile Ngcobo’s side are eighth on the world standings but will search for improvement in the Dubai leg at the beginning of December.

Los Pumas pip England at Twickenham in busy weekend of international rugby

An inspired performance from Argentina lifted them to a 30-29 victory over England at Twickenham on Sunday. Edinburgh winger Emiliano Boffelli, a strong contender for World Rugby Player of the Year, contributed a mammoth 25-points as the South Americans claimed a first win over the Roses since 2009; a run that included 10-straight losses. It was also just the second time in history that Argentina have beaten the English at Twickenham.

While Eddie Jones was quick to blame the defeat on a series of “silly mistakes” from his charges and remained positive, the calls for his head have intensified again.

In other results, New Zealand smacked Wales 55-23 in Cardiff, France claimed a 30-29 win over a valiant Australia in Paris, Scotland held off Fiji 28-12 in Edinburgh and Italy were too good for Samoa in Padua, winning 49-17.