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 18:07 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! South Africa 29-29 WALES (Dewi Lake try, 77 minutes)

Try for Wales! The scores are level!

Remarkable fight from Wales. They maul strongly, replying in kind to the South African score with Dewi Lake sharp to spot space and ground.

Can Dan Biggar convert? No! 29-29 it remains.

[2 July 2022 18:06 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 29-24 Wales, 76 minutes

A blow for Wales, but could this be a glimmer of hope? South Africa penalised, and Dan Biggar kicks towards the corner...

[2 July 2022 18:06 · Luke Baker]

[2 July 2022 18:05 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 29-24 Wales (75 minutes)

Disaster for Wales, delight for South Africa!

The maul is again unstoppable from South Africa as the backs join in, and the awarding of the penalty try means a full seven-pointer and another Welsh player lost to the now rather crowded naughty step - Rhys Carre is given his marching orders with South Africa in the lead.

[2 July 2022 18:03 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Yellow card! Louis Rees-Zammit is sent to the sin bin! South Africa 22-24 Wales, 74 minutes

Amashukeli just wants to know Rees-Zammit’s number - he reckons that there is no clear release and Rees-Zammit has slowed the ball cynically as South Africa looked for a swift recycle after his tackle on le Roux.

Off Rees-Zammit goes, throwing something in disgust. South Africa kick to the corner.

[2 July 2022 18:02 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 22-24 Wales, 74 minutes

Yet every time South Africa attack they look like cracking Wales open. Cheslin Kolbe threatens to beat half of the Welsh defence by himself with a typically deadly meander. Damian Willemse dances into a hole and connects with Willie le Roux, who is held on to by Louis Rees-Zammit.

Jasper Wiese goes close, did he get it down? No! Fine work from Wales to hold him up. But Nika Amashukeli wants a chat with TMO Joy Neville...

[2 July 2022 18:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 22-24 Wales, 73 minutes

Wales must play in their own territory. First they survive the scrum rigours of a powerful South African drive and then create enough space for Dan Biggar to clear.

[2 July 2022 17:58 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 22-24 Wales, 71 minutes

Nearly for South Africa, making rapid inroads up the left but the pass from Lukhanyo Am to Makazole Mapimpi drifts forwards after a brilliant tap tackle from Louis Rees-Zammit.

Herschel Jantjies is on for Faf de Klerk.

[2 July 2022 17:56 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 22-24 Wales, 69 minutes

Eleven minutes left then, and Wales down to 14 players for most of what remains. Can they cling on to a first ever victory in South Africa?

A long kick from Damian de Allende is one roll from crossing the dead ball line, but just about stays in play, with George North forced to ground hastily as Cheslin Kolbe tries to steal in. Goalline dropout.

South Africa’s second debutant of the evening is Salmaan Moerat in the second row.

[2 July 2022 17:53 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Yellow card! Alun Wyn Jones is sent to the sin bin! South Africa 22-24 Wales, 68 minutes

Yes, immediately after the awarding of that score, Nika Amashukeli produced a yellow card, shown to Alun Wyn Jones. Not quite sure for what, but the Georgian referee is certain - Jones initially tries to return for the restart, but is told to sit back down.