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:
Yellow card! Karl Tu’inukuafe is sent to the sin bin! New Zealand 42-19 Ireland, 79 minutes
It will have no bearing on the result but New Zealand have just lost their way in the dying embers. Another ruck penalty and Karl Tu’inukuafe won’t be on the field for the final whistle, sent for the naughty step by Karl Dickson after that earlier team warning.
Ireland can launch a final assault on the All Blacks line from inside the 22 after the hosts are again penalised.
TRY! New Zealand 42-19 IRELAND (Bundee Aki try, 77 minutes)
Finally, Ireland are over! They charge back into the All Blacks after gathering the goalline dropout, and make swift advance through the New Zealand 22. Bundee Aki cuts a lovely line and provides the appropriately forthright finishing touches. A nice moment for the Auckland-born centre.
New Zealand 42-12 Ireland, 75 minutes
More ill discipline from the All Blacks, Scott Barrett rather emphatically using his shoulder illegally at the ruck, Ireland’s quick tap perhaps saving him from further trouble as the TMO does not have time for another look.
Another player failing to roll away draws a warning for Ardie Savea, now New Zealand’s captain. He has a chat with his team as they prepare for another goalline stand.
Held up! Andrew Porter is over the line but can’t force the ball to floor as Sam Whitelock locks his big limbs around the ball. A questionable entry from Whitelock, as Porter did not appear to be quite to the line as the lock knifed in, but he gets away with it and New Zealand survive.
New Zealand 42-12 Ireland, 73 minutes
Better from Ireland, Robbie Henshaw fending away Braydon Ennor as he makes good progress on the outside arc. Beauden Barrett makes little effort to vacate a ruck and Ireland return to the New Zealand 22.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 42-12 Ireland (Pita Gus Sowakula try, 71 minutes)
A try on debut for big Pita Gus Sowakula! Go forward again at the scrum for New Zealand, Angus Ta’avao’s shove opening up space to the right for Sowakula. Off he stomps with bristling intent, finding limited resistance from the Irish defence and diving beneath the posts.
He’s a popular figure, and is mobbed by his teammates as the broadest of smiles spreads across his face. Jordie Barrett pops through two more from the tee.
New Zealand 35-12 Ireland, 69 minutes
Another penalty for New Zealand in the shadow of the Irish posts. They opt for the scrum, which has been pretty scrappy for most of the evening.
Karl Dickson whistles - Ireland called for collapsing on the loosehead side, where Andrew Porter is still battling on. They will go again. You wonder if Cian Healy actually is fit enough to play any sort of part.
New Zealand 35-12 Ireland, 66 minutes
Two of the strongest men in world rugby collide in midfield, Ardie Savea quickly on to a rumbling Tadhg Furlong, grappling like judoka as they fight for physical superiority. Honours even as they collapse on the spot.
Sam Whitelock is another in black to have had a very fine Auckland evening, and wins a turnover.
More changes for both sides - Braydon Ennor and Dalton Papalii are on for the All Blacks, while Tom O’Toole and Kieran Treadwell have been introduced by Andy Farrell. Dave Heffernan’s stay on the pitch is unfortunately brief - soon after he comes on for Dan Sheehan, Heffernan is forced to exit with an injury. A shame for the Connacht hooker.
New Zealand 35-12 Ireland, 63 minutes
This has been another excellent performance from Brodie Retallick, not that we should expect anything different from a modern second row master. He looks in real discomfort moments before taking his place in the New Zealand lineout, but nonetheless gets up in the air with a grimace, coming down and single-handedly ending Ireland’s chances of any kind of progress with a driving maul.
Off he then trudges, replaced by Pita Gus Sowakula, who earns a deserved debut. His installation at number eight will necessitate a back-five reshuffle - Ardie Savea moves to the flank and Scott Barrett into the engine room.
New Zealand 35-12 Ireland, 61 minutes
Changes for the All Blacks - Finlay Christie is on for Aaron Smith and Karl Tu’inukuafe for George Bower. Richie Mo’unga has joined proceedings, too - he is now at ten, Beauden Barrett at fifteen, Jordie Barrett at twelve, with Quinn Tupaea’s day done.
B Barrett’s clearing kick flies out on the full, but the latest Irish lineout mishandle grants New Zealand a second chance to thump for touch, this time from within the safety of their 22. Ireland lineout beyond the ten-metre.
No try! New Zealand 35-12 Ireland, 59 minutes
Clever pop from Peter O’Mahony to Josh van der Flier and the flanker is over beneath the posts!
Or is he? The All Blacks aren’t sure, and the replays show why - Van der Flier has knocked on! Wow! Another vital intervention from Rieko Ioane, this time getting a hand on to the ball as the Irish openside seemed certain to crash over, jarring it loose!
Ireland shake their heads. Two virtually certain scores go begging in quick succession.
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