Ireland have comprehensively defeated South Africa 29-15 in their opening Autumn International at the Aviva Stadium this evening.

Jonny Sexton kicked the home side ahead early on, and he stepped up to convert a second penalty shortly after in what was a low-scoring first half.

Ireland's lead was reduced when Handre Pollard added a pen of his own two minutes before the interval, but just two minutes after the restart Rhys Ruddock slid over in the corner for the game's first try.

The Springboks, who ended New Zealand's 22-match unbeaten run last time out, upped the ante in search of a way back into the contest, and they were duly rewarded when Marcell Coetzee crossed the whitewash with Pollard successfully adding the extras.

A controversial moment came on 66 minutes when Adriaan Strauss was shown a yellow, and Ireland made the extra man count when Tommy Bowe crossed over, adding to his five previous pens as the Six Nations champions well and truly took command.

There was still time for replacement Ian Madigan to add his name to the scoresheet when he kicked over a pen, while JP Pietersen touched down at the very death to pull back a consolation try for the dejected visitors.