The Boks started well and had the opportunity to put early points on the board when awarded a penalty, but nerves got the better of newly-capped Jordan Hendrikse and he missed.  Seasoned centre Jesse Kriel managed to score a try soon after and this time Hendrikse didn’t miss, which put the Boks ahead by 7 – 0.  

Three minutes later, Wales’ Sam Costelow put over a penalty for Wales, bringing the score to 7 – 3.

Relentless pressure on the line by the Boks resulted in two yellow cards and ultimately a penalty try with both Rio Dyer and Aaron Wainwright having to sit out for 10 minutes, leaving Wales with only 13 men on the field. However, the Boks failed to score any points during this time and a yellow card for Aphelele Fassi on the 30-minute mark gave Wales the momentum they needed.

Fassi conceded a penalty, which was kicked to the line and resulted in points, courtesy of hooker Dewi Lake. Costelow didn’t miss and suddenly Wales were just 4 points behind the Boks. Costelow succeeded with another penalty just before half-time for a deliberate knock-down by Evan Roos, bringing the score to 14 – 13 at half-time.

But Wales didn’t have any more to give in the second half. Makazole Mapimpi scored early on in the second half and Hendrikse’s conversion put them in front with 21 – 13. Two more penalties, by Hendrikse and debutante Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu bumped the score to 27 – 13, but a try by substitute Bongi Mbonambi in the 68th minute put a win firmly out of reach of Wales.  Another debutante and also Man of the Match, Edwill van der Merwe put the nail in the coffin for Wales when he went over for a try under the poles. 

This was South Africa’s fifth win in the last seven against Wales.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger