Emerging Ireland 36-24 The Pumas
Emerging Ireland kicked off their tour of South Africa with a 36-24 victory over the Pumas.
Zac Ward impressed on the wing, scoring the first of Ireland's six tries, and carrying strongly throughout 80 minutes in the heat of the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Darragh Murray and Cormac Izuchukwu added further first-half tries, while Stephen Smyth, Gus McCarthy, and a penalty try completed the Irish try-scoring.
The Pumas had more of the territory in the opening half but couldn't take advantage on the scoreboard.
They were turned over four times in the Irish 22, including twice when within five metres of the line.
Emerging Ireland, meanwhile, were more clinical when they worked their way into the danger zone and Ward, on trial with Ulster after impressing for the Sevens at the Olympics, evaded three tackles after receiving a long pass from Prendergast on the 22 before racing in.
Ireland were struggling with the scrum set and penalised a number of times but the Pumas continued to waste their shots.
Ben O'Connor's kick caused problems in the backfield and Matthew Devine tapped a quick free close to the line before Murray took Izuchukwu's pop pass to score.
This time Prendergast converted.
But the Currie Cup side eventually got on the board in the 28th minute with Tino Swanepoel making a break in midfield and finding wing Lundi Msenge, who ran in under the posts.
Ireland had the last say of the half, however, with Izuchukwu powering over two defenders after a close-range scrum.
Prendergast's second conversion made it 19-7 at the break.
They extended their lead further just two minutes into the second half when Harry Sheridan's quick thinking at a ruck led to a breakaway with Smyth finishing off in the corner.
The Pumas almost hit back straight away but Sean O'Brien pushed number 8 Kwanda Dimaza out before he could ground the ball.
After making a number of replacements around 50-minute mark, Ireland got caught out directly from a scrum, the lively Swanepoel slicing through the backline with little resistance and Clinton Swart adding a second conversion.
Replacement hooker McCarthy was at the back of a lineout maul to grab Ireland's fifth with 20 minutes to play, while prop Eduan Swart replied for the South Africans, stretching over in the corner as Ireland began to tire.
The referee decided that Phiko Sobahle's attempted interception denied Ireland a certain try as they broke downfield with numbers and awarded a penalty try with Swanepoel crossing for the last score of the game.
Ireland next face Western Force on Sunday at midday Irish time.
Emerging Ireland: Ben O'Connor; Rob Russell, Sean O’Brien, Hugh Gavin, Zac Ward; Sam Prendergast, Matthew Devine; Mark Donnelly, Stephen Smyth, Jack Aungier; Harry Sheridan, Darragh Murray; Cormac Izuchukwu, Alex Kendellen (capt), James Culhane.
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Ronan Foxe, Alex Usanov, Evan O’Connell, Sean Jansen, Ethan Coughlan, Jack Murphy, Jude Postlethwaite.
Pumas: Tino Swanepoel; Lundi Msenge, Theuns Pretorius, Clinton Swart, Darren Adonis; Danrich Visagie, Richman Gora; Etienne Janeke, Jan-Henning Campher, Sampie Swiegers, Hanno Theunissen, Deon Slabbert, Ntsika Fisanti, Andre Fouche, Kwanda Dimaza (capt).
Replacements: Darnell Osuagwu, Dewald Maritz, Eduan Swart, Tiaan de Klerk, Marvelous Mashimbyi, Russwill Fredericks, Wian van Niekerk, Phiko Sobahle.
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