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

(AFP via Getty Images)

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:

South Africa vs Wales

• 80’ - PENALTY! Willemse wins it with last kick of the game (32-29)
• 77’ - TRY! Lake goes over to level the scores for 13-man Wales (29-29)
• 75’ - TRY! Penalty try put Springboks ahead for first time and Wales reduced to 12 men (29-24)
• 66’ - TRY! Kolbe goes over out wide (22-24)
• 52’ - TRY! Marx barrels over for a second Boks try (15-18)
• 46’ - TRY! Mbonambi mauls over to narrow the gap (10-18)
• 32’ - TRY! Rees-Zammit goes over for his second try out of nothing (3-18)
• 3’ - TRY! Rees-Zammit sprints over to give Wales shock lead (0-5)
• Wales face world champions South Africa in first of three-match series
• Welsh have lost all 10 of their previous matches in South Africa

[2 July 2022 11:25 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-3 England, 16 minutes

Strong carry from Rob Valetini, forcing Marcus Smith into retreat, but clever from Courtney Lawes, helping his fly-half out and rippping the ball away. Australia are then offside.

[2 July 2022 11:23 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-3 England, 14 minutes

Tom Curry’s head snaps back nastily as he tries to tackle Samu Kerevi, but he’s soon back amongst things as England look to contest a breakdown. Illegally, in fact - another Australian penalty and a return to the English 22.

[2 July 2022 11:22 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-3 England, 13 minutes

Marcus Smith has Joe Cokansiga on his shoulder and hits his wing nicely, Jack Nowell providing linking hands but not quite able to release Joe Marchant lurking on the left touchline.

Billy Vunipola is next to carry, but falls with ball exposed and Angus Bell, who is good over the ball for a prop, forces him to hold on. A decent defensive reset from Australia.

[2 July 2022 11:21 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-3 England, 12 minutes

Yet more chance for England’s forwards to note their delight with a roar - a scrum penalty.

England can thus attack, and do so relatively well, Danny Care providing swift service and threatening the fringes himself. The variation is a high cross-kick from Owen Farrell - which is won back by Freddie Steward!

[2 July 2022 11:19 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-3 England, 10 minutes

A warning for Maro Itoje from the busy Doleman - Itoje’s screaming at the lineout is not to the referee’s liking as Dave Porecki prepares to throw.

Porecki’s dart is well-directed, but Itoje is soon screaming again, this time in delight as he and his teammates disrupt the Australian transfer and force a knock-on.

[2 July 2022 11:17 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-3 England, 9 minutes

Referee Doleman really isn’t keen for any kind of messing about at the ruck. Courtney Lawes’ hands were caught in the cookie jar on that occasion. Australia kick into the England 22.

[2 July 2022 11:16 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-3 England, 8 minutes

That’s better from the long-limbed Swain, a big right paw stealing England’s lineout ball on halfway.

Joe Marchant tackles firmly in the 13 channel but Australia win the next two collisions to regather momentum, and then earn penalty advantage.

[2 July 2022 11:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-3 England, 7 minutes

Penalty number two for England - Darcy Swain looks to be trapped at the bottom of a ruck, but he makes little effort to get out of the way and is pinged.

[2 July 2022 11:14 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY! Australia 0-3 ENGLAND (Owen Farrell penalty, 6 minutes)

A hint of right-to-left hook on Farrell’s first strike, but the direction is good. England lead.

[2 July 2022 11:14 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Australia 0-0 England, 5 minutes

Noah Lolesio punts for the stratosphere but Freddie Steward tracks it well and gathers with typical security.

Tom Curry carries strongly down the left and is then lurking out wide as Danny Care weights his box kick perfectly, allowing the openside to dart in as the first arriving player at the breakdown and win England’s first penalty.

Courtney Lawes points for the posts as Owen Farrell plants his tee.