‘It’s probably the ugliest drop-goal I’ve ever hit’ – Ciarán Frawley reflects on Sexton-esque winner against Springboks

The Skerries native kicked two drop-goals in the last 10 minutes to secure a famous win in Durban, with the celebrations mirroring the scenes in Paris when Johnny Sexton kicked his winner against France in the 2018 Six Nations.

South Africa Tour Daily – Ireland win in Durban

Ireland had led 16-6 at half-time, only to see the Springboks go to another level in the third quarter, but they held their nerve and delivered a winner that will enter the annals of Irish rugby history.

“I’ve had a few pints so I feel good, yeah!” a beaming Frawley said in the tunnel beneath Kings Park.

“It was unreal the way it finished. It was a proper Test match. I’m absolutely delighted.

“There was a load of learnings coming to the end of last season that we brought in with us. We rehearsed them kind of situations and look, delighted it came off.

“Sometimes it can be instinctual but you definitely see the picture. We got caught in that game of kick tennis and I felt the minutes were passing by.

“The lads put in a massive shift but there was a lot in the legs and we just felt like field position was the right thing at the time.”

Frawley played a big role in the end-game, engineering an excellent kick through for James Lowe to force a lineout. From that throw, Stuart McCloskey hammered up the middle, Ireland recycled quickly and Caolin Blade found his out-half who etched his name in history.

“The strike was probably the ugliest drop-goal I’ve ever hit in my life!” he said.

“The one in Tottenham was way better, which is funny. It worked out, which is key.

“Bladey pulled the trigger at the right time. They were probably expecting us to pick and go a little bit more and get better field position.

“I felt there was no pressure on me when I went for the drop-goal.”

Frawley conceded that the missed kick against Toulouse was not far from his mind.

“Definitely, definitely. Especially after Tottenham against Toulouse. I was delighted to see it go between the posts,” he said when asked if it was the best moment of his career.

“It’s not on your mind. You’re focusing on the game but when you reflect on it immediately after, you’re kind like, ‘Why didn’t it happen as well as month ago?’ or whatever it was.

“But, look, I’m delighted it came off.”