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:
New Zealand 7-5 Ireland, 24 minutes
Enormous cheers from the Eden Park crowd as Richie McCaw is shown smiling on the big screen. The All Blacks look like they could use their old captain’s calm as they again make a mess of their handling of the Irish restart.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 7-5 Ireland (Jordie Barrett, 22 minutes)
Just like that, the All Blacks strike! That’s more like it from New Zealand, keeping hold of the ball and moving it quickly, Aaron Smith adding the fizz.
After Sevu Reece makes inroads down the right, it is over to the left, Sam Whitelock deftly playing the pivot and pulling-back as he swivels at the line to create space. Quick hands from centre partners Rieko Ioane and Quinn Tupaea send Leicester Fainga’anuku charging down the touchline.
Fainga’anuku is somehow quelled by two desperate diving Irish bodies within a metre of the line, but Jordie Barrett on the short line in the next phase will not be. He adds the conversion to push New Zealand into the lead.
New Zealand 0-5 Ireland, 19 minutes
Ireland nearly win their own kick back but New Zealand have just enough numbers there to handle Johnny Sexton’s clever chip. There’s definitely space in behind for Sexton to exploit - Jordie Barrett perhaps sitting a little too deep so far.
Ireland defend the New Zealand attack well, but aren’t hugely challenged. The All Blacks really haven’t found their attacking shape so far, but will get another chance to play from the back of an attacking scrum.
New Zealand 0-5 Ireland, 17 minutes
Better from Ireland at scrum time, forcing unsteady ball that Ardie Savea and Aaron Smith must stabilise, ending any chance of an All Blacks launch play. They thus kick the ball to Ireland.
New Zealand 0-5 Ireland, 16 minutes
There’s a general untidiness to the recent exchanges. Now Ireland make an error, and then rip the ball forward from New Zealand hands.
New Zealand 0-5 Ireland, 15 minutes
The All Blacks lineout ends up in Irish hands. A little messy - New Zealand just struggling to settle in.
And here come Ireland! Lovely grubber from Johnny Sexton, threaded through for Garry Ringrose to collect. Can he find Jamison Gibson-Park? Not quite! Superb from Beauden Barrett, reading the pass to pluck it out of the air as Gibson-Park prepared for a 35-metre sprint for the line.
New Zealand 0-5 Ireland, 14 minutes
Or not! That’s a strong shove from New Zealand, Ofa Tu’ungafasi forcing Andrew Porter to turn in under pressure. Penalty to New Zealand.
New Zealand 0-5 Ireland, 13 minutes
New Zealand close the gap and are free kicked. Ireland’s forwards fancy a go at the scrum just inside the All Blacks 22 - after the inevitable reset, this should present strong attacking ball...
New Zealand 0-5 Ireland, 11 minutes
Ambition from the All Blacks for the first time as Jordie Barrett eschews a clearance and opts to run from inside his own 22. He makes strong progress and there is a suspicion of a high tackle, but Ireland soon win the ball back, Peter O’Mahony the first player on his feet and thus able to play the ball with his hands.
A toe ahead is hared after gamely by Keith Earls, who forces a diving Quinn Tupaea to push into touch. Ireland lineout deep in New Zealand territory.
New Zealand 0-5 Ireland, 10 minutes
Biff! Garry Ringrose inspects Sam Cane’s lower ribs with his right shoulder as the All Blacks captain juggles a short pass, leaving his midriff rather open to Ringrose’s thump. A firm hit, a knock-on, and an Ireland scrum on their own ten-metre.
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