The first of three games to be played by the side in the southern hemisphere – meetings with Western Force and The Cheetahs will follow on October 6 and October 9 respectively – Zac Ward, Darragh Murray, Cormac Izuchukwu, Stephen Smyth and Gus McCarthy all registered five-pointers to propel Simon Easterby’s men towards victory.

Having survived an early spell of pressure from Pumas, Emerging Ireland eventually established a foothold inside the opposition half. While some patience was required initially, the visitors eventually opened the scoring in the 14th minute.

After the ball had been worked wide into his hands, Ward – fresh from his exploits at the Paris Olympics with the Ireland 7s – cut inside from the left-wing and raced past a number of Pumas challenges before touching down in fine style.

Despite Sam Prendergast firing his subsequent bonus strike past the target, Emerging Ireland had laid down a marker at the Bloemfontein venue.

Munster’s Alex Kendellen was producing a typically committed performance in his role as team captain and his back-row partner Izuchukwu delivered a couple of stand-out moments in the opening period. When Emerging Ireland found themselves within inches of the Pumas line just shy of the half-hour mark, the Ulster flanker released Connacht lock Murray through a gap for their side’s second try.

Emerging Ireland’s momentum was briefly halted when superb approach play from Tino Swanepoel enabled Lundi Msenge to cross over for a converted score, but Izuchukwu ensured they reinforced their authority by driving past the Pumas whitewash on the stroke of half-time.

Prendergast’s second successful conversion meant Emerging Ireland brought a 19-7 buffer into a second period that began in devastating style for the touring side.

A little over 60 seconds after the resumption, Harry Sheridan burst powerfully into the opposition ‘22’ and after he was picked out by the second-row, Matthew Devine set up hooker Smyth for a fourth Irish try in the right-corner.

Although this unconverted effort presented Emerging Ireland with a 17-point cushion, an excellent individual try from the pacy Swanepoel added fresh impetus to the Pumas challenge on 55 minutes. Ireland had already introduced the majority of their replacements by this point – including Jude Postlethwaite, who had deputised for winger Rob Russell in the first half.

While there was a worry that this might lead to some disjointed play from Emerging Ireland, it ultimately worked to their advantage. Alex Usanov got through a lot of work at loosehead after being a late call-up to the squad and when the Irish pushed forward off a line-out maul on the hour mark, replacement hooker McCarthy was on hand to supply the finishing touches.

A determined Pumas outfit did grab additional five-pointers through Eduan Swart and Swanepoel in the closing moments, but courtesy of a 76th minute penalty try in between these scores, Emerging Ireland comfortably secured the spoils in the end.

Scorers for Emerging Ireland: Tries: Z Ward, D Murray, C Izuchukwu, S Smyth, G McCarthy, Penalty Try. Cons: S Prendergast (2).

Scorers for Airlink Pumas: Tries: L Msenge, T Swanepoel (2), E Swart. Cons: C Swart (2).

EMERGING IRELAND: B O’Connor; R Russell, S O’Brien, H Gavin, Z Ward; S Prendergast, M Devine; M Donnelly, S Smyth, J Aungier; H Sheridan, D Murray; C Izuchukwu, A Kendellen, J Culhane.

Replacements: G McCarthy, A Usanov, R Foxe, E O’Connell, S Jansen, E Coughlan, J Murphy, J Postlethwaite.

AIRLINK PUMAS: T Swanepoel; L Msenge, T Pretorius, C Swart, D Adonis; D Visagie, R Gora; E Janeke, J-H Campher, S Swiegers; H Theunissen, D Slabbert; N Fisanti, A Fouche, K Dimaza.

Replacements: D Osuagwu, D Maritz, E Swart, T de Klerk, M Mashimbyi, R Fredericks, W van Niekerk, P Sobahle.

Referee: S Geldenhuys (South Africa).