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:
South Africa 3-11 Wales, 31 minutes
That is what Tommy Reffell can do! South Africa run the goalline dropout back with Damian Willemse punchy in the carry, but Lood de Janger is turtled soon after, allowing Reffell to scavenge over the top, and rewarded with the penalty.
South Africa 3-11 Wales, 30 minutes
Maul they do, but Wales repel it strongly enough. A different approach, then - Damian de Allende over the gainline and then Eben Etzebeth, too. But South Africa are impatient, choosing not to continue with the close-in biffing and instead attack aerially, with Elton Jantjies dropping the ball on to his left peg and attempting to find Cheslin Kolbe on the right. Josh Adams leaps highest, and Liam Williams grounds in-goal. A slightly curious option from Jantjies.
South Africa 3-11 Wales, 29 minutes
South Africa play the lineout quickly and attack with purpose. Elton Jantjies slithers through a gap and offloads to Ox Nche, who is dragged down five metres out. Wales jackal expertly but had earlier been less licit - penalty to South Africa for Taulupe Faletau’s tackle of Faf de Klerk from an offside position.
That all triggers another little scrap, Liam Williams right at the heart of things as he and Damian de Allende square up. Nika Amashukeli has a stern word for both captains to try and prevent further bickering. Elton Jantjies kicks onwards up the touchline, from where South Africa will surely maul.
South Africa 3-11 Wales, 28 minutes
De Klerk is again in the game as he falls theatrically on to his back after kicking a loose ball behind the Welsh defence and charging right into a big Welsh chest. Not called in his favour, rightly.
Wales get bodies back and clear.
South Africa 3-11 Wales, 26 minutes
South Africa are awarded a scrum free kick, and Kieran Hardy refuses to release the ball, which draws the ire of the Springbok forwards and the ever-spiky Faf de Klerk. Dan Biggar isn’t happy that the South African reaction is proportionate - after a bit of petty squabbling, South Africa will opt for a scrum ten metres further on with Hardy punished.
South Africa 3-11 Wales, 25 minutes
Though Elton Jantjies’ faulty radar is proving rather helpful to the Welsh cause. This time it is a punt for the corner that drifts off line, and by a fine margin the wrong side of the corner flag. All the way back Wales will come with the scrum feed near halfway.
South Africa 3-11 Wales, 24 minutes
Eben Etzebeth runs into both Welsh props, Gareth Thomas and Dillon Lewis meeting the taller man square on, all parties driven up like colliding tectonic plates.
Wales have stood up strongly to the physical challenge, but discipline is becoming a slight issue - another penalty against the visitors.
Missed penalty! South Africa 3-11 Wales, 22 minutes
Not great from Jantjies. His first miss could be termed unfortunate but that’s one he’d have liked to make, particularly displeased as he wanders back into position having missed.
South Africa 3-11 Wales, 21 minutes
Not for the first time, Kieran Hardy gets himself into difficulty inside his own 22, and Wales don’t quite recover from there. Will Rowlands’ cleanout is illegal, referee Nika Amashukeli’s eyes and whistle sharp - and Elton Jantjies again calls for the tee.
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