Craig Casey stretchered off after collision during Ireland’s first test against South Africa in Pretoria

MUNSTER scrum-half Craig Casey was taken from the field at Lotus Versfeld stadium this afternoon.

The scrum-half was on the wrong end of a tackle from Leinster's RG Synman in the first test.

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25-year-old Casey landed heavily on his head after after a perfectly legal tackle from the second-row.

While the hit was a fair one, the player's head whipped off the hard summer turf at the Pretoria venue in worrying scenes.

Medic rushed to the pitch as they tended to the Ireland star in the first game of the two-test series.

The player was put in a neck brace but was conscious after the collision.

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Casey raised his hand as he was removed from the pitch on a medial cart in a gesture to family and friends watching at home.

Conor Murray replaced Casey on the 63rd minute of the tough encounter as the visitors trailed the Springboks.

The game was the first between the sides since Johnny Sexton retired from rugby at the end of the World Cup.

The Springboks, who have won the World Cup consecutively in 2019 and 2023, have a score to settle with the 2024 Six-Nations champions after defeating them in the pool stage of last year's Rugby World Cup.

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And there's been a war of words ahead of the clash between the fierce rivals.

Etzebeth had previously branded Ireland as 'arrogant' and claimed that that supposed trait had been their downfall at the World Cup.

And the 32-year-old lock claimed that media had targeted him in the wake of those comments.

Boks' head coach Rassie Erasmus also criticised Irish fans for their World Cup antics

Erasmus added more fuel to Springbok's firey war of words with Ireland last week by declaring Andy Farrell’s side as favourites.

He said: "If there’s one team that has the upper hand, it’s them,"

"We haven’t beaten them since 2016."