The SA pack was well led by captain Riley Norton, playing at flank, while flyhalf Vusi Moyo directed play intelligently behind his dominant pack with the wind in his back.
The visitors led 10-3 at the break after displaying good physicality, winning the aerial battle and enjoying better territory than the hosts.
The encounter was marked by sweeping rain throughout as both teams did their best to master the wet conditions on the artificial pitch.
South Africa scored the only try of the first half through hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele from a strong lineout mall, with Moyo slotting the conversion.
Earlier, Moyo and his opposite number Tom Wood had exchanged successful penalty goals, both from long-range, to make the score 3-3 before SA converted their territory and possession into seven well-earned points.
The physicality of the South Africans was apparent from the start, and Ireland lost flanker Arthur Ashmore in the inside the opening 10 minutes with a shoulder injury after he took a huge hit in the close exchanges.
A few minutes from half-time they were dealt a further blow when Wood was forced to leave the field after he landed heavily from a high-ball collision.
A brilliant battle in Cork as Ireland Men’s U20s narrowly lose out to South Africa 32-22 in tonight’s challenge match at Virgin Media Park. pic.twitter.com/g9eEv9TGTH
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 14, 2025
Mahle Sithole replaced Mnebelele at half-time and Ireland levelled matters shortly after the resumption when centre James O’Leary forced his way through the middle to score under the posts for a converted try, bringing the scores to 10-10.
Immediately after that Ireland did well to stop the SA lineout drive, forcing the visiting pack into touch. Norton then stole the next lineout as the South Africans piled on the pressure and from their own lineout, Sithole went over from another strong maul as the tourists regained the lead at 15-10 with 30 minutes left on the clock.
Minutes later, the SA U19s were awarded a penalty try when Ireland stopped their maul illegally to stretch their advantage to 22-10, with the home side also losing a player for 10 minutes with a yellow card.
However, the lead was reduced immediately when Ireland scored their second ty through Dylan McNeice to make it 22-15.
Ireland struggled with South Africa’s scrum power and when the touring side earned a free kick, replacement prop Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka barged his way over from a quick tap for their fourth try. When Moyo added the extras, the SA U19s had edged forward to 29-15 with the last quarter of play remaining.
Ireland outside centre Sean Walsh then showed they weren’t out of the contest when he charged down Dylan Miller’s clearance to score a try that was converted, reducing the lead to 29-22, but the South African forwards, in rampant mood, earned another penalty when the Irish defence went offside, with Moyo slotting three more points.
IRELAND U20 – Tries: James O’Leary, Dylan McNeice, Sean Walsh. Conversions: Conor O’Shauhnessy (2). Penalty goal: Tom Wood.
SA U19 – Tries: Siphosethu Mnebelele, Mahle Sithole, penalty try, Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (2). Penalty goals: Moyo (2).
Photo: SA Rugby
