CAPE TOWN, South Africa: Ireland won a test in South Africa for the first time on Saturday, shrugging off the loss of flanker CJ Stander to a first-half red card to outfight new coach Allister Coetzee’s Springboks 26-20 at Newlands.
South Africa-born Stander was sent off on his return to his homeland for knocking Boks flyhalf Pat Lambie unconscious with a flying charge-down attempt.
Undermanned for the last hour, and already missing a string of regulars for this tour, Ireland held out for a victory that will rate as one of its most famous and gutsiest.
Fullback Jared Payne crossed early and scrumhalf Conor Murray ran in for a second try at the start of the second half. Ireland even held out South Africa with 13 men for the last 10 minutes of the first half after center Robbie Henshaw’s yellow card.
With South Africa desperate, replacement Pieter-Steph du Toit’s interception try out of the blue closed the gap to three points at 23-20 with 12 minutes to go.
Under immense late pressure, Ireland still didn’t cave.
Flyhalf Paddy Jackson, starting in place of regular playmaker Jonathan Sexton, replied with a late penalty to cap his excellent 16-point display.
That gave the Irish a little breathing space but the visiting team’s huge spirit was embodied in a last-ditch try-saving tackle in the corner after the final hooter on Springboks wing JP Pietersen. If Pietersen had squeezed his way over, South Africa would have had a kick to steal the game.
Ireland didn’t deserve to lose after being the better team for the opening stages and leading 10-3 after Payne, playing out of position at fullback, chased down a chip through to score.
Midway through the first half, Stander leaped high in the air in an attempt to charge a kick from Lambie, and connected heavily with the Boks No. 10’s head with his hip. He was shown a straight red card.
From there, Ireland conceded a try to wing Lwazi Mvovo soon after.
Yet despite their numerical advantage for most of the game, the Springboks, playing under Coetzee for the first time, couldn’t break the Irish defense or spirit.
Gutsy 14-man Ireland beats Springboks 26-20
Gutsy 14-man Ireland beats Springboks 26-20
San Antonio Spurs extend domination of NBA-best Thunder
- After roaring to a 24-1 start, the Thunder have dropped four of their past six games — three of those losses coming to the Spurs
- Houston’s Amen Thompson scored 26 points to lead the Rockets over the host Los Angeles Lakers 119-96
- At New York, Jalen Brunson scored 34 points to lead the host Knicks over Cleveland 126-124
NEW YORK: Reigning champion Oklahoma City have the NBA’s best record, but they cannot beat San Antonio, with superstar Victor Wembanyama coming off the bench Thursday to help lift the Spurs to an emphatic 117-102 victory.
De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 29 points while Wembanyama had 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes and guard Stephon Castle added 19 points for the Spurs, who stretched their win streak to eight games.
“My first Christmas game,” Fox said. “It feels great getting another victory.”
After roaring to a 24-1 start, the Thunder have dropped four of their past six games — three of those losses coming to the Spurs.
“When you play a team of this caliber, the details are much more magnified,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “We did a phenomenal job as the game progressed adhering to those nuances.”
Wembanyama wouldn’t call it a statement win for the season but he says the Spurs have learned from beating the Thunder.
“I’m not really sure it’s smart to think so far into the future,” said Wembanyama.
“This is like a playoff series. We played them three times in 10 days so we learned a lot on the technical side.”
Oklahoma City lost for the first time in 15 home games this season despite 22 points by reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder sank their first seven shots to take an 18-12 lead but the Spurs closed the first quarter on an 11-0 run for a 41-36 edge and never looked back.
“The guys were working their butts off,” Johnson said.
The Spurs improved to 23-7, second in the Western Conference behind the Thunder at 26-5.
Fox made 12-of-19 shots from the floor, 3-of-4 from three-point range.
“He was carrying us a little bit,” Wembanyama said. “He’s a guy who can make things happen.”
The Spurs have not reached the playoffs since 2019 and have not won a playoff series since 2017.
In other games, Houston’s Amen Thompson scored 26 points to lead the Rockets over the host Los Angeles Lakers 119-96.
Kevin Durant added 25 points and Alperen Sengun had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Houston.
“We wanted to come out here and play with a sense of urgency for 48 minutes,” Durant said. “The basketball world is watching you tonight.”
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 25 points while four-time NBA MVP LeBron James added 18 points.
James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, played in his 20th NBA Christmas contest, his holiday record falling to 11-9.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves had 12 points in 15 minutes before leaving with left calf soreness.
Knicks outlast Cavs
At New York, Jalen Brunson scored 34 points to lead the host Knicks over Cleveland 126-124.
The Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 34 points, grabbed a 103-86 lead with 10:25 remaining but New York closed on a 40-21 run to seize the victory.
Benson, who hit 6-of-12 from three-point range, lifted the Knicks ahead for good at 121-119 on a three-pointer with 65 seconds remaining.
It was Benson’s 90th 30-point game as a Knick, a total eclipsed only by Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony.
Jordan Clarkson added 25 points off the New York bench.
At San Francisco, Stephen Curry scored 23 points despite shooting 6-of-18 overall and 2-of-10 from three-point range to lead Golden State over Dallas 126-116.
“Didn’t shoot it well but we got a great win,” Curry said. “Just focused on the details of what this team can do to win.”
Seven Warriors scored in double figures with Jimmy Butler contributing 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
The Mavericks’ 19-year-old forward Cooper Flagg, the second-youngest NBA Christmas starter after 18-year-old James in 2003, scored a game-high 27 points.
Dallas star Anthony Davis exited after playing only 11 minutes with what appeared to be a groin injury.
Dallas guard Klay Thompson scored seven points in a return to the Bay Area, where he helped Golden State capture four NBA titles.
