The fog that swirled around Croke Park yesterday perfectly mirrored the state of Irish rugby 12 months ago. Heavily beaten by New Zealand last November, Ireland were confronting a cold, grey future, bereft of brightness or cheer.

Just 12 months later, and victory over South Africa came at the end of a year in which Ireland won their first Grand Slam for 61 years, Leinster finished top dogs in Europe by winning the Heineken Cup, the Irish squad contributed hugely to the Lions party, snatched a late draw at Australia's expense two weeks ago and now take the scalp of the world champions.

Even captain Brian O'Driscoll, not a man given to wild outbursts of premature promise or unjustified celebration, spoke thoughtfully and revealingly on Irish rugby's incredible year after this final success of 2009, a real icing-on-the-cake job if ever there was one.

"Twelve months ago, we were in a pretty dark place," said the skipper yesterday. "We did a lot of soul searching, there was huge honesty. To turn it around as quickly as we did reflects huge credit on everyone involved; the players, coaches, management, support staff, everyone.

"Basically, it comes down to a work ethic. It is hugely important that guys are willing to work, do the analysis and do the small bits and pieces on the training ground. So it's huge credit to everyone involved what we have done this year and yes, this result was very pleasing.

"In terms of physicality, it was right up there. It is always the case whenever you play against South Africa and you accept that raised level of physicality. I knew all about it after the Lions matches against them, so this was nothing out of the ordinary, just what you expect."

Coach Declan Kidney acknowledged the result, greeted tumultuously by the near 75,000 crowd at Croke Park, in his usual calm, phlegmatic way. Even if Ireland won a Rugby World Cup under Kidney, it's doubtful whether the man's features would seriously change. If ever a coach offered an image of solidity, stability, calm and self-control it is Kidney, and Irish rugby is the stronger for that.

"The win obviously gives us confidence going forward," he said. "It was a really physical game and the boys were very tired after it but we will definitely enjoy tonight. I thought they worked their way through it very well."

Was this, someone enquired, the perfect end to the perfect year? "There's no such thing," Kidney reckoned. "There are moments of perfection but when you set yourselves to play against Tri-Nations teams you learn a lot of things about yourselves. We did today. It was a particularly tight game and I am pleased we came out on top. But there are still a lot of things for us to work on. We didn't score a try so that area, for example, probably needs some work. It is about continuing to make progress, that is the important thing."

Wasn't the coach's decision to opt for Jonathan Sexton a masterly act, with hindsight? Kidney wasn't having any of that, either. Maybe just a touch of a smile briefly brushed his face as he shot back: "We might have won by more had Ronan O'Gara been playing (Sexton ONLY kicked 5 out of 7 penalty-goal attempts).

"You have to make calls. We were trying to develop the squad and in Ireland we see it as a blessing that we now have an up-and-coming class fly-half and a world-class fly-half. We will need them both when we come to competitions like World Cups. It is good having players coming through like that (Sean O'Brien also got a worthy mention in despatches). You need them."

And the work ethic O'Driscoll talked about? Kidney said that came from the players themselves. "You have to give them the chance to play to the best of their ability so they can say, I gave that a good go.

"Today, as so often in international rugby's big games, it was swings and roundabouts in a lot of areas. They got the upper hand on us in the scrums early on but we came back well. The line-outs went well for us generally, especially in the first half. The breakdown was what it always is, 50-50. We both got vital turnovers and that's the way it is there. Some days it goes for you, others it doesn't. But it's not entirely luck, you get the luck you deserve."

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers can usually be relied upon to come out with some strange remark, whatever the context. Deep in the bowels of Croke Park last night, as he faced a battery of TV cameras and media pens, he did not disappoint.

Asked what he had to say about a tour in which the South Africa have lost four of their five games, he said: "Ja. It is painful but the tour was successful, except on the scoreboard."

Springboks skipper John Smit was a touch more straightforward and revealing. "We just gave away too many penalties and Jonathan Sexton said thank you very much. You can't expect to win Test matches if you concede so many penalties. We can't blame fatigue either. The contrast between the first and second halves for us was stark. We came out after half-time and created pressure but didn't follow it through. Our line-outs and our kicking let us down."

De Villiers did add, more precisely: "The players have had a very very good year. But the IRB put this stuff in (meaning these end-of-season tours). We gave the best we could and if we had come with a second team, people would have thought we were not showing them respect. But maybe we should have rested a few guys."

Full-back Rob Kearney took the man-of-the-match award, but it was a close-run thing. Who most impressed John Smit? "I was impressed with all the Irish," he said.

Perhaps even the stadium announcer, who kept saying Bakkies Botha was coming on or going off the field. The fact that Bakkies was injured and sitting freezing in the stand from the start was of no concern whatever. How the Springboks missed him.

Sunday Independent