South Africa v Wales LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Damian Willemse kicks Springboks to last-gasp win
Follow reaction from the first Test of Wales’ summer tour as the Springboks break Welsh hearts
Full back Damian Willemse kicked a pressure penalty after the hooter to secure South Africa rugby a 32-29 victory over ill-disciplined Wales rugby in a see-saw test at a raucous Loftus Versfeld.
Louis Rees-Zammit crossed twice in the first half to put Wales in control and Dewi Lake also crossed to seemingly snatch a draw late on for the tourists, who came agonisingly close to their first-ever victory on South African soil.
They ran the world champions so close but paid the price for their cynical play in their own 22 as they lost four players to yellow cards and conceded a penalty try.
The Springboks might have won by a greater margin but for their own lacklustre play as their tactical kicking was abysmal and decision-making in key phases of play unusually poor. Hookers Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx, and wing Cheslin Kolbe, crossed for tries for the home side. The second of three tests will be played in Bloemfontein next Saturday with Wales still in search of a first win in South Africa after 11 attempts.
Follow all the reaction below with our live blog:
PENALTY! AUSTRALIA 9-6 England (Noah Lolesio penalty, 43 minutes)
Virtually a copy and paste of the penalty that drew Australia level on the stroke of half-time - Noah Lolesio pushes the home side into the lead for the first time.
Australia 6-6 England, 41 minutes
A half-time change for England - Lewis Ludlam is out there in the place of Tom Curry, and immediately in to his defensive work as Marika Koroibete arcs infield with intent straight into the replacement flanker.
Maro Itoje is penalised for going off his feet. Jonny Hill’s period in the sin bin comes to an end as Noah Lolesio again looks towards the posts.
Back out there
The two sides pop back out there. England have already lost once this summer to a 14-man team after an Australian second row had been sent off - what price on twice?
H/T: Australia 6-6 England
I think Eddie Jones will be relatively pleased with the way his side won their collisions in that half, but he’ll be hoping that they can more certainly crack Australian open as they begin to tire. His half-time messaging will be key - England probably don’t want to be dragged into something increasingly scrappy, but their attacking tempo has generally been good.
Australia, conversely, might value more messiness. Samu Kerevi and Michael Hooper had excellent halves.
H/T: Australia 6-6 England
There was a fair bit between Darcy Swain and Jonny Hill even before that incident. I reckon a two-handed push to the face of the Australian by Hill went unspotted earlier.
H/T: Australia 6-6 England
Six apiece as the teams trot back into the sheds. You would say that is about fair after a physical half that never quite clicked into gear.
It may be all square, but Australia are certainly up against it. Having lost Quade Cooper five minutes before kick-off, Dave Rennie has also seen Tom Banks and Allan Alaalatoa depart with arm and brain injuries respectively, before Darcy Swain’s moment of madness saw his evening ended by the flourish of James Doleman’s red card. Jonny Hill will be back amongst things after his yellow about a minute into the second 40 - and England will thereafter have a player advantage, which feels like it may be key in a battle of attrition.
PENALTY! AUSTRALIA 6-6 England (Noah Lolesio penalty, 43 minutes)
A second penalty for Noah Lolesio and that is that for the half.
Australia 3-6 England, 41 minutes
A penalty to Australia and they will have a last go at the English defence, opting to keep play going by kicking directly for touch.
Tom Curry thinks he has won a turnover, but his initial effort goes unrewarded and his second effort at nicking the ball from Rob Leota comes when he is off his feet. Another penalty to Australia, this time bang in front, and I reckon we might just be all square at the half.
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