In a gritty showdown in Dublin, Malcolm Marx, the freshly minted World Rugby Player of the Year, tossed accolades at the Springboks for clawing their way to a 24-13 victory over Ireland. This triumph marked the Boks' first win at the Aviva Stadium since 2012 and keeps their dreams of an undefeated year-end tour alive. With eyes now set on next Saturday's clash against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, the world champions are looking to wrap up their triumphant 2025 run in style.
Post-match, with his jersey stained with the battle's toll, Marx was candid about the team's performance. Despite dominating territory, especially in the second half, he admitted they didn't quite turn the screws when opportunities knocked. "We got some good success at the set-piece, but at times when we were down in their half in the second half, we weren’t as successful as we would have liked," Marx reflected.
"Very happy with the way the guys fought and the character they showed throughout the last couple of weeks, and especially this week, to come up and get the win."
The hooker also tipped his hat to a resilient Irish squad, which, despite being reduced to 12 men, managed to hold the Boks at bay for a significant stretch. Marx was impressed by the opposition's grit. "I think the character that they showed was immense," he commented. "Having 12 guys on the field and still keeping us out for a good number of minutes just shows the character and how strong of a bond they have as a team."
As the Springboks prepare to close out the season, their performance against Ireland has certainly set the tone for what promises to be a nail-biting finale in Cardiff. With the Boks displaying a blend of brute strength and strategic finesse, it’s clear they’re not just playing games—they’re scripting epic tales of rugby prowess. Next stop, Millennium Stadium, where they aim to continue their saga of success and perhaps, end the year with a resounding victory war cry.
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In a gritty showdown in Dublin, Malcolm Marx, the freshly minted World Rugby Player of the Year, tossed accolades at the Springboks for clawing their way to a 24-13 victory over Ireland. This triumph marked the Boks' first win at the Aviva Stadium since 2012 and keeps their dreams of an undefeated year-end tour alive. With eyes now set on next Saturday's clash against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, the world champions are looking to wrap up their triumphant 2025 run in style.
Post-match, with his jersey stained with the battle's toll, Marx was candid about the team's performance. Despite dominating territory, especially in the second half, he admitted they didn't quite turn the screws when opportunities knocked. "We got some good success at the set-piece, but at times when we were down in their half in the second half, we weren’t as successful as we would have liked," Marx reflected.
"Very happy with the way the guys fought and the character they showed throughout the last couple of weeks, and especially this week, to come up and get the win."
The hooker also tipped his hat to a resilient Irish squad, which, despite being reduced to 12 men, managed to hold the Boks at bay for a significant stretch. Marx was impressed by the opposition's grit. "I think the character that they showed was immense," he commented. "Having 12 guys on the field and still keeping us out for a good number of minutes just shows the character and how strong of a bond they have as a team."
As the Springboks prepare to close out the season, their performance against Ireland has certainly set the tone for what promises to be a nail-biting finale in Cardiff. With the Boks displaying a blend of brute strength and strategic finesse, it’s clear they’re not just playing games—they’re scripting epic tales of rugby prowess. Next stop, Millennium Stadium, where they aim to continue their saga of success and perhaps, end the year with a resounding victory war cry.