South Africa vs Wales LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Josh Adams try and Gareth Anscombe conversion make history
Follow all the reaction from Bloemfontein as Wales beat the Springboks on South African soil for the first time
Replacement fly half Gareth Anscombe kicked a late conversion from the touchline as Wales claimed their first ever away victory in South Africa with an error-strewn 13-12 success over a much-changed Springboks at the Free State Stadium.
Wing Josh Adams crossed for the only try of the game with two minutes left on the clock, leaving Anscombe with a difficult conversion to win the game, but he landed the ball through the centre of the posts to make history for Wayne Pivac’s side.
Stand-in captain Handre Pollard kicked four penalties for a Boks side that had 14 changes in their starting XV from the first test win and never found any fluency in a game where they mostly dominated territory until the final 10 minutes.
The third and deciding test in the series will be played in Cape Town next Saturday.
Follow all the reaction below with our live blog:
Late drama sees Wales claim historic first victory over Springboks on South African soil
Wales made history as they recorded a stunning 13-12 second-Test victory over South Africa in Bloemfontein.
It was Wales’ first win against the Springboks on South African soil, ending 58 years of hurt and arriving at the 12th attempt.
After suffering an agonising three-point defeat in last weekend’s series opener, Wayne Pivac’s team made no mistake at the second time of asking and set up a Cape Town decider next Saturday.
Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber’s decision to make 14 changes backfired – he rested World Cup winners like Siya Kolisi, Faf de Klerk and Cheslin Kolbe – as Wales triumphed through Josh Adams’ 78th-minute try that Gareth Anscombe converted from the touchline.
Late drama sees Wales claim historic first victory over Springboks in South Africa
South Africa 12-13 Wales: Josh Adams’ late try, converted by Gareth Anscombe, delivered a narrow win at the end of a dire game
One apiece!
Four from four for the Six Nations sides in action so far today, and another series to be settled in a decider next weekend. You could, perhaps, suggest that South Africa were fortunate to win the first Test and Wales lucky to take this, but 1-1 is probably a fair reflection of an even series.
There will be some tired bodies in the Welsh squad after two physical encounters - can Wayne Pivac afford to make changes in Cape Town?
And now Handre Pollard
“Discipline cost us,” the South Africa captain says. “Wales won all the big moments in the second half, and our discipline let us down. The guys fought hard, and that is all that you can ask for. We just weren’t clinical enough.”
Pollard adds that his withdrawal was down to cramp.
Wayne Pivac gives his reaction to Sky Sports
“It’s a bit like last week - came down to one of the last plays, we were hanging in there. Very pleased that we could build some pressure at the end of the game and have one last crack.
“I had confidence in him because he had been kicking so well during the week. He missed one, but got the one that mattered.
“We worked really really hard in defence and were a lot more disciplined, which enabled us to stay in the game. There was a lot of passion in the changing room before the game and at half-time, and they were very frustrated after last week. It wasn’t easy by any stretch.
“We are just a little bit disappointed we are not 2-0 up, but we are in the race for a series. It is going to be a big week for us and we look forward to it.”
F/T: South Africa 12-13 Wales
For South Africa, a tough evening. Jacques Nienaber wanted to look at the depth of his squad, but his side were disjointed throughout. They should, regardless, have moved out of sight with collision and set-piece dominance for so much of the second half. How many of that team will be involved in the decider?
F/T: South Africa 12-13 Wales
Rightly, some praise for Sam Wainwright from Adam Jones on Sky Sports. The debutant came on late at tighthead after Dillon Lewis’ injury, earning the scrum penalty that allowed Wales to enter the South African 22 in the lead-up to the try from Adams, and then just about keeping his feet to avoid being penalised at the set-piece with the clock in the red and South Africa seeking what would surely have been a match-winning penalty.
Try-scorer Josh Adams on Wales’ historic win
“Do you know what, after last week we spoke about bottling the hurt and disappointment and using it effectively. It showed the character of the team tonight, the way we came back. I think it speaks volumes about this team.
“South Africa’s defence is renowned to be a very strong one, and it takes a lot of effort and time to break that down. The try at the end was taken excellently by the team. As a squad we are delighted, especially after last week.
“Very special moment [for Gareth Anscombe]. That’s a clutch kick, that is, and he’s absolutely nailed it. Super happy for him.”
F/T! South Africa 12-13 Wales
Blimey. Wales beat the Springboks in South Africa for the first time! Ireland in New Zealand earlier, and now Wayne Pivac’s side have made history.
They, really, had no right to do so. It was a wretched game, all told, but Wales somehow stuck in there, allowing Josh Adams’ score in the corner and Gareth Anscombe’s nerveless touchline conversion to seal a famous victory.
South Africa 12-13 Wales, 81 minutes
Initially solidity from both sides, but down it goes with Wales in retreat. Angus Gardner says...play on! No penalty.
South Africa have to play. Grant Williams is on the wing, and Louis Rees-Zammit makes sure he has tight grasp as he corrals the replacement.
Back into midfield. Vincent Koch will carry...KNOCKED ON! Wales have won!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments