‘These are rare times’ – Conor Murray and Caelan Doris bask in Ireland’s victory over the Springboks

Speaking to SuperSport at full-time, the Munster ace said: “Incredible just to come here to the world champion’s back yard and we knew how tough it would be. It was last week (in the first test) and it was again today.

“South Africa don’t lose easy, they find a way (to stay in the game) and its so frustrating at times to play against. Look, we believed in ourselves and it was always going to be a big challenge.

South Africa Tour Daily - Ireland win in Durban

“I think we can be really proud of last weekend’s heart, it was a tough defeat. But to turn up this week and we knew we were getting our break at the end of the week; the boys still fronted up and committed to this week,” said Murray.

The scrum-half, who started in the absence of Craig Casey today, rose to the occasion brilliantly with a try of his own in the 14th-minute. He explained how the team were both honest and critical of their performance after the first-test.

“We had a big meeting on Wednesday, it was a really honest meeting about ourselves. It wasn’t perfect tonight at all but we got over the line,” Murray continued.

With the win in Durban levelling the two test series at 1-1, the scrum-half who plays his club rugby with Munster was questioned about the legitimacy of the Ireland-South Africa rivalry.

“I think its (the growing rivalry) is good for the game isn’t it?! We said we don’t hear what goes don’t goes on off the field with Rassie (Erasmus) but it adds another element to it.

“Meeting the (South African) lads last weekend, and again this week, there’s huge respect there with what they’ve done in World Cups and so forth. We have complete respect for them and its an honour to be able to go toe-to-toe with them. The nerves were a lot this week but its nice when it pays off,” the Limerick native added.

Finally, the 35-year-old played down post-game celebrations for the team, but promised the players will unwind in the aftermath of a bruising test match.

“Ahh we’ll have to celebrate. These are rare times, its a tough thing to do (win in South Africa). You can see the energy coming off the boys already so it will be a good one,” beamed the Irish scrum-half.

After defeat last weekend in Pretoria, today’s one-point victory for Andy Farrell’s side ensures Ireland have not lost back-to-back test matches since the 2021 Six Nations campaign with opening loses to Wales and France.

Caelan Doris, meanwhile, cut an equally relieved and overjoyed figure during his post-match interview. The captain barely had a breath to spare as he reflected on Ireland’s thrilling victory.

“It was a great first-half from us and we were dominant. In the first 20 (minutes after half-time South Africa) completely turned it around. The last 20 (minutes) was then back-and-forth, but pure elation seeing that ball (Frawley’s drop-goal) sail over at the end,” he said.

Assuming captain duties from Peter O’Mahony who started on the bench today, Caelan Doris did his level best to emulate his teammate in offering words of encouragement as the game neared it conclusion.

“Just keep believing, there was still time. It (the game) was still back-and-forth, there was two points in it so we believed if we got territory and down there (into the Springbok half) we could score,” the Mayo native added.

When asked to reflect on the two-test series to South Africa, the Irish captain remained level headed but proud of the Irish team’s efforts as a whole.

“Right now anyway, it is definitely a good feeling finishing the season with a win like that. It went right down to wire and its nice to come out on the right side (of the result).

“It has been a long season and we know what an unbelievable test it was coming over at the end of the season and playing against the double world champions. We knew it was going to be a massive test and we’re happy to end it on a high,” the 26-year-old concluded.

Victory today for Andy Farrell’s side is only the tenth success Ireland have tasted over South Africa since records began in 1906. After their 30th-ever test match, the record now stands at 19 wins for the Springboks, 10 for Ireland, with 1 draw between the nations.