A late penalty, which was converted by Damian Willemse gave the Springboks a 32-29 win over a game Wales in front of 51 762 people at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday evening.
The Welsh led 18-3 at half time after they raced to an early lead when speed merchant Louis Rees-Zammit crossed the try line in the third minute. Dan Biggar missed the conversion.
Five minutes later, Welsh flyhalf Biggar made amends with a drop goal increased Wales’ lead to 8-0.
Boks flyhalf Elton Jantjies, who had a bad game, converted a penalty to make it 8-3 in the 16th minute.
The 21-year-old Rees-Zammit scored his second try of the match in the 31st minute and Biggar converted to make it 18-3.
The Boks had a bright start in the second half and scored their first try of the match through Bongi Mbonambi in the 45th minute. Willemse converted to make it 18-10.
The Boks continued to pile more pressure on their opponents and their efforts were rewarded with Malcolm Marx’s try in the 50th minute. Willemse missed the conversion.
Biggar converted another penalty to make it 21-15 in the 54th minute. Biggar’s boot continued with its magic as he added three more points in the 62nd minute.
That didn’t dampen the Boks’ spirits as Cheslin Kolbe crossed the try line in the 65th minute. Willemse successfully converted to make it 24-22.
The Boks took the lead for the first time during the match when they were awarded a penalty try in the 75th minute.
The Welsh were not done yet as they scored their third try through Dewi Lake to level the score at 29-29. Unfortunately, Biggar missed the conversion.
The Boks pressed on and Willemse converted a penalty, which sent Loftus into a frenzy.
