Rugby

Ireland beat South Africa on Hugo Keenan’s return to sevens

Zac Ward and Gavin Mullin cross in the second half to erase a 21-7 deficit and send Ireland to the top of their pool

Ireland’s Hugo Keenan in action against South Africa in Madrid. Photograph: Martin Seras Lima/Inpho

Fri May 31 2024 - 17:00

Ireland kicked off their HSBC SVNS Championship campaign with a victory over South Africa in what was Hugo Keenan’s first sevens appearance since 2019 in Madrid on Friday.

After trailing the Blitzboks 21-7 early in the second half, Zac Ward and Gavin Mullin (twice) hit back to secure a comeback 26-21 victory. Terry Kennedy scored Ireland’s first when chasing a kick in behind to keep them in touch after South Africa’s early dominance.

Alongside Keenan, Connacht’s Andrew Smith featured as both players returned to the sevens fold ahead of the Paris Olympics.

Ireland now top their pool on points difference ahead of Saturday’s games against New Zealand and Fiji. The top two sides progress to the semi-finals.

READ MORE

In the women’s draw, Ireland went down to a 33-14 defeat to Australia in their first clash in Madrid. Eve Higgins, back from Six Nations duty, and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe saw Ireland wipe out an initial 14-0 deficit, only for Australian sisters Teagan and Maddison Levi combine for three second half scores to secure a comfortable result for the Aussies.

Ireland face France and Fiji on Saturday as they bid to keep their campaign alive.

Ireland fixures - Saturday

Ireland Women v France, 12pm local time/11am Irish time

Ireland Men v Fiji, 1.06pm local time/12.06pm Irish time

Ireland Women v Fiji, 3.05pm local time/2.05pm Irish time

Ireland Men v New Zealand, 4.11pm local time/3.11pm Irish time

LATEST STORIES