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:
Australia 0-16 England, 25 minutes
More good kick and chase work from England as Jack Nowell introduces Noah Lolesio to the Suncorp Stadium turf immediately after the Australian fly-half’s feet hit the deck. A kick rolls into the in goal but Nic White does not dot down for a goalline dropout, Australia eventually clearing.
Australia 0-16 England, 24 minutes
Australia are again loose in the carry as they play at the line. A notable uplift in linespeed from England this week, driving up with intensity and forcing Australia to make quick decisions. The Wallabies so far are struggling to counter it.
Marcus Smith chips for himself and very nearly gathers on the second hop, but the bounce evades him.
PENALTY! Australia 0-16 ENGLAND (Owen Farrell penalty, 22 minutes)
The other penalty was bang in front of the posts, so Courtney Lawes will make Owen Farrell’s job simple by opting to kick from there. Another sweep of right boot over the tee, and England’s lead extends further.
YELLOW CARD! Izaia Perese is sent to the sin bin! Australia 0-13 England, 22 minutes
This will be yellow. Perese was actually in decent position to collect, but went with a single hand.
The next question is whether it will also be a penalty try. There is cover coming across but I fancy Tommy Freeman might have cantered home. Just as New Zealand did earlier, Australia’s defence get the benefit of the doubt. Just a penalty, and a yellow for Perese.
Australia 0-13 England, 21 minutes
Once more England rumble into the Australian 22 through their maul, rolling again away from the teeth of the Australian counter-drive.
Billy Vunipola and Will Stuart carry prominently, and Australia are offside. With the advantage, Marcus Smith lifts a long pass towards Tommy Freeman on the outside - and an extended arm from Izaia Perese knocks the ball out of the air. This could well be deemed deliberate...
Australia 0-13 England, 19 minutes
Australia get up and steal England’s lineout, Matt Philip beating Maro Itoje in the air. Timely pilfer from the lock.
Australia boot the ball upfield before Marcus Smith kicks rather aimlessly, inviting Australia to attack. But England regather well, and Courtney Lawes forces Michael Hooper to hold on.
Australia 0-13 England, 18 minutes
And again Taniela Tupou is penalised. After a week of bracing for battle with pre-match words for one another, Ellis Genge has the early edge at scrum-time, Tupou forced into retreat and then to turn in.
The Australian is then marched back ten more metres for questioning Andrew Brace’s call.
Australia 0-13 England, 17 minutes
A foothold, then, for Australia, who throw a lineout 35 metres out from the England line. Rob Valetini is met firmly by opposite number Billy Vunipola, but bounces away to make a metre-or-two. By contrast, Samu Kerevi is stood up by a combined effort from Marcus Smith, Sam Underhill and Owen Farrell, who drive the big centre back and very nearly force the ball from him.
The ball lies beneath the bodies at the resulting ruck - Australia a little fortunate to get the scrum feed.
Australia 0-13 England, 16 minutes
England have been very, very good. Again, Jack van Poortvliet picks the right club for his box kick up the touchline, his approaching floating delightfully just infield, forcing Tom Wright to catch. The white bodies swarm him, driving the Wallabies wing into touch.
Hang on, that’s less clever from Ellis Genge, pushing a forearm into the face of Nic White. Entirely unneccessary and rightly penalised after another intervention from Joy Neville.
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