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 16:18 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 0-5 Wales, 7 minutes

Dan Biggar drives a low crossfield kick across to Josh Adams, who collects but can’t force his own kick beyond Cheslin Kolbe and co.

Soon ater, though, Jasper Wiese is picked out for a no-arms tackle - he has cleaned up his discipline significantly and this is not dirty, just a technical error as he tries to chop at the knees of the Welsh carrier.

[2 July 2022 16:17 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 0-5 Wales, 5 minutes

Makazole Mapimpi nearly gets up to win the latest aerial challenge after the restart, but Liam Williams clings on despite a rough landing on the hard Loftus turf. Kieran Hardy has been on the money with his box kicks so far, and again weights his well, enabling Wales to form a strong defensive line and force an errant Faf de Klerk pass that Lukhanyo Am can only carry into touch.

[2 July 2022 16:12 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! South Africa 0-5 WALES (Louis Rees-Zammit try, 3 minutes)

How’s that for a start? Just like that, Wales lead, striking first - and fast.

Will Rowlands disrupts Lood de Jager’s catch at the front of the lineout and the ball pops invitingly for Gareth Thomas at the front of the maul. A quick exchange of passes with Kieran Hardy and Rowlands stomps up the left touchline, cut down by Cheslin Kolbe.

With the South African defence retreating and narrow, Wales spin it to the right, sharp handling from Liam Williams putting Louis Rees-Zammit away with a sprint to line. As ever, there’s no catching him.

The conversion is missed.

[2 July 2022 16:12 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 0-0 Wales, 1 minute

Contrasting starts for the two number eights - Taulupe Faletau oh-so-secure under the kick-off, Jasper Wiese rather less so beneath Kieran Hardy’s box kick.

Damian Willemse also makes a hash of his catch as Hardy again looks to the sky, but only due to a bump from a Welsh player, who is penalised.

[2 July 2022 16:10 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

KICK OFF!

South Africa against Wales has begun!

[2 July 2022 16:10 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Officials

Nika Amashukeli of Georgia is the referee today, with Ireland’s Joy Neville his TMO. After a bit of card drama in this morning’s action, what role might they play?

Elton Jantjies of South Africa will kick the action off...

[2 July 2022 16:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Anthems

The Welsh players stand proudly for “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau”, before Pretoria rises to its feet and joins in a stirring version of the South African national anthem. There are smiles on every fan in the place. They are loving being back after so long.

[2 July 2022 16:06 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Remembering Phil Bennett

Before the anthems, Loftus falls silent to remember the life of Phil Bennett. Wales are wearing black armbands this afternoon after the recent passing of one of the greats.

[2 July 2022 16:04 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Here come South Africa

And now Siya Kolisi and his Springboks, hearing the uplifting roar of the home crowd. The captain joins in energetic embrace for several of his teammates. Sounds a cracking atmosphere.

[2 July 2022 16:01 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Wales emerge

Dan Biggar cuts a relaxed fiture as he leads his Welsh squad into and then out of the tunnel. This is a huge test but also a great opportunity for Wales - they are outsiders, but that may give them a freedom of approach which could be a useful refresh.