Wales vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby result and reaction from 2021 Autumn International fixture tonight
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World champions South Africa ended a run of four successive away defeats against Wales by claiming a dramatic 23-18 victory at the Principality Stadium.
It was the Springboks’ first win in Cardiff since 2013, but they did not secure it until substitute hooker Malcolm Marx scored a 73rd-minute try and Elton Jantjies kicked a penalty.
Despite being without injured captain Alun Wyn Jones and a host of other absent British and Irish Lions, Wales delivered a towering performance, with fly-half Dan Bigger kicking six penalties.
Biggar’s sixth successful penalty put Wales back in front at 18-15, although there was drama just a minute earlier when the hosts attacked through Liam Williams just as a spectator ran on to the pitch only a few metres away from him.
Williams had to jump over the pitch invader before he was duly led away, although Wales would not have scored.
Handre Pollard kicked four penalties and Frans Steyn one for South Africa, yet Wales bounced back superbly from a 54-16 drubbing against New Zealand last weekend.
And their outstanding performer was flanker Ellis Jenkins who suffered a major knee injury against the Springboks three years ago and had not played Test rugby since.
Wales were without Jones, while other unavailable Lions included Ross Moriarty, Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric and George North, with centre Jonathan Davies taking over as skipper.
South Africa made three switches from the side that beat New Zealand last month, with full-back Damian Willemse, wing Jesse Kriel and scrum-half Herschel Jantjies all featuring behind an unchanged pack.
Wales made a bright start and shaded the early possession, with Biggar mixing his running and kicking game impressively before wing Louis Rees-Zammit was denied a try by brilliant Springboks cover defence.
Biggar kicked Wales into the lead through a 10th-minute penalty, but Pollard landed an equalising strike two minutes later as persistent drizzle swirled around the stadium.
Biggar restored Wales’ advantage through a second penalty, while South Africa saw Willemse go off for a head injury assessment as Steyn joined the action.
A tight opening quarter reached its conclusion with South Africa showing an early sign of scrum dominance and Pollard kicking a second penalty to make it 6-6.
South Africa attempted to launch their main ball-carriers at Wales, but the home side defended superbly, with Jenkins at the forefront.
Biggar completed his penalty hat-trick 13 minutes before the break, and referee Paul Williams’ growing impatience at South Africa’s poor technical discipline saw him engage in a lengthy conversation with Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi.
South Africa then saw prop Ox Nche yellow-carded for obstruction on Tompkins, and Biggar’s fourth successful penalty opened up a six-point advantage.
But even though Wales had prop Rhys Carre sin-binned for a technical infringement, they deservedly claimed a 12-9 interval lead after Pollard landed a third penalty.
South Africa sent on a replacement front row of Steven Kitshoff, Marx and Vincent Koch just five minutes after the restart as they looked to establish a foothold in the game.
Wales were forced into a defensive rearguard, but they tackled and harried magnificently before breaking away, forcing South Africa to infringe, and Biggar kicked a 45-metre penalty.
It was a stirring effort by the home side, and although the Springboks looked more threatening in attack than during the first half, it required a 52-metre penalty from Steyn for their next points.
South Africa, however, had other ideas, breaking into Wales’ half from 70 metres out, but wing Makazole Mapimpi had a try disallowed, and the home side retained their narrow advantage before Marx struck following a relentlessly-driven lineout, but Elton Jantjies missed the conversion.
Jantjies final kick penalty, though, meant South Africa sealed the deal and finally broke Welsh resistance.
Despite being without injured captain Alun Wyn Jones and a host of other absent British and Irish Lions, Wales delivered a towering performance, with fly-half Dan Bigger kicking six penalties. Follow below for latest reaction:
Wales 12-9 South Africa
42 mins: Wales struggle to chase a Biggar kick and South Africa are able to win a penalty. The Springboks elect to go for the scrum - which they only did once in the first half - but they are just as commanding, storming through the Wales pack.
Jantjies kicks for the corner after Wales concede the penalty.
KICK-OFF! Wales 12-9 South Africa
41 mins: The chaos from kick-offs continues as the returning Ox Nché concedes an immediate penalty. Biggar kicks for touch as Wales gain some territory.
HALF TIME: Wales 12-9 South Africa
The teams are back out onto the pitch - as the misty rain continues to fill the Cardiff air. Second half coming up next!
HALF TIME: Wales 12-9 South Africa
Not only has it been brilliant to see Ellis Jenkins back in action for Wales after 26 months out, but the Cardiff flanker has been one of the most impressive performers on the pitch.
He came up clutch with a couple of key turnovers for his team, just as he did so impressively on the fateful night three years ago.
HALF TIME: Wales 12-9 South Africa
It’s tight, it’s tense, it’s wet, but Wales fans will head into half-time enthused by an impressive opening period from their team.
Pivac’s side have stood up to South Africa’s physicality and have more than held their own in what is an entertaining and combative fixture.
All the points have been scored by the fly-halves - and if anything, Wales will be slightly frustrated to let South Africa back into it following a couple of cheap penalties.
Wales 12-9 South Africa (Pollard pen 40’)
A late blow for Wales as Rees-Zammit concedes a penalty in the dying embers of the half as he rose to collect a high ball.
Pollard still had an awful lot to do from the left touchline, but he curled it beautifully inside the far post to cut Wales’ lead heading into the break.
Wales 12-6 South Africa
39 mins: Testing moment from Josh Adams as he scampers back to collect a kick under pressure from the chasing Mapimpi. Not only does he collect, but he grazes the touchline with his kick into touch. That relieves significant pressure as Wales look to take their lead into the break.
Wales 12-6 South Africa
37 mins: Brilliant from Ellis Jenkins! With South Africa pushing for the line, he makes a line break to intercept a pass. That was crucial. Wales then looked to counter-attack through Johnny McNicholl but nothing comes of it, although it’s pulled back as there was a high tackle on a Welsh man.
YELLOW CARD: Wales 12-6 South Africa
37 mins: Wow, that’s a blow for Wales as Rhys Carré is sent to the bin for coming in from the side during a maul.
The momentum swings South Africa’s way and they have the ball deep in the Wales half as they look to strike back before the break.
Wales 12-6 South Africa
34 mins: But here come South Africa, who make a break through De Allende during a penalty advantage. Mapimpi then closes down on the line but the ball can’t quite sit up for high as he looked to juggle with his feet.
Wales were able to recover and it’s another considerable defensive stand from them on their 5-metre line. Great work from Williams to get back and make the save.
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