Emerging Ireland made it two wins out of two as they beat the Western Force 29-24 in a nervy match in the Bloemfontein heat.
The game was heavily influenced by the three yellow cards shown during the match as both sides were punished in more ways than one.
Unlike the first game against the Pumas, Emerging Ireland got off to a fast start and were rewarded when centre Jude Postlethwaite scored the opening try, showing great strength to break through a tackle and cross the line.
It was a half full of knock-ons and turnovers but Ireland were clinical when they entered the 22 and Chay Mullins scored Ireland’s second try following great work by Sam Prendergast and a great hand-off from Harry Osbourne to put the Connacht man through in the corner.
It wasn’t long before Ireland scored their third as they produced a counter attack the senior team would have been proud of as Sean Jannsen touched down to put Ireland 19-0 ahead.
Just like in the first game, Ireland were guilty of letting their opponents back into the contest as Harry Potter breached the Ireland defence to release Mac Grealy to score the Forces’ first try.
Both teams were successful off the back of counter rucks and Western Force closed the gap with another try as winger Justin Landman finished off a great move.
But it was a costly end to the first half for the Force after scrum-half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa was shown a yellow card for a high tackle and as the clock went into the red, Ireland bundled over off the back of a maul for try and a 26-14 half time lead.
In the second half it was Irelands turn to play 10 minutes with 14 men when Alex Soroka was shown a yellow card as Leileiwasa returned and just like Ireland, Western Force immediately took advantage with a maul try, setting up a nervy end to the game.
Darcy Swain was the third and final man sent to the bin for a high tackle but the Force defended well and it was only when Ireland won a penalty in the 22 that they had the chance to stretch their lead to eight points, but unfortunately Prendergast missed.
After a disallowed try due to Sean Edogbo obstructing, Prendergast was given another opportunity in the 75th minute and made no mistake with the kick, making it 29-24, a lead which the Irish would not surrender.
A much improved performance by Emerging Ireland and they will now look ahead to their final game of the tour against the Cheetahs on Wednesday.
Emerging Ireland: A Osborne; C Mullins, H Cooney, J Postlethwaite, S O’Brien; S Prendergast, E Coughlan; A Usanov, G McCarthy, R Foxe; C Izuchukwu, C O’Tighearnaigh; A Soroka, A Kendellen (capt), S Jansen.
Reps: D Sheahan, S Wilson, J Aungier, E O’Connell, S Edogbo, C Foley, C Tector, H Gavin.
Western Force: M Grealy; J Landman, H Potter, S Tomkinson, R Leahy; M Burley, I Fines-Leleiwasa; H Hoopert, N Dolly, T Robertson; S Carter, D Swain; W Harris, N Champion de Crespigny, R Prinsep (capt). Reps: T Horton, M Pearce, T Tauakipulu, L Faifua, T Nofoagatotoa, H Robertson, C Miln, D Palu.