Wales vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby result and reaction from 2021 Autumn International fixture tonight
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World champions South Africa ended a run of four successive away defeats against Wales by claiming a dramatic 23-18 victory at the Principality Stadium.
It was the Springboks’ first win in Cardiff since 2013, but they did not secure it until substitute hooker Malcolm Marx scored a 73rd-minute try and Elton Jantjies kicked a penalty.
Despite being without injured captain Alun Wyn Jones and a host of other absent British and Irish Lions, Wales delivered a towering performance, with fly-half Dan Bigger kicking six penalties.
Biggar’s sixth successful penalty put Wales back in front at 18-15, although there was drama just a minute earlier when the hosts attacked through Liam Williams just as a spectator ran on to the pitch only a few metres away from him.
Williams had to jump over the pitch invader before he was duly led away, although Wales would not have scored.
Handre Pollard kicked four penalties and Frans Steyn one for South Africa, yet Wales bounced back superbly from a 54-16 drubbing against New Zealand last weekend.
And their outstanding performer was flanker Ellis Jenkins who suffered a major knee injury against the Springboks three years ago and had not played Test rugby since.
Wales were without Jones, while other unavailable Lions included Ross Moriarty, Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric and George North, with centre Jonathan Davies taking over as skipper.
South Africa made three switches from the side that beat New Zealand last month, with full-back Damian Willemse, wing Jesse Kriel and scrum-half Herschel Jantjies all featuring behind an unchanged pack.
Wales made a bright start and shaded the early possession, with Biggar mixing his running and kicking game impressively before wing Louis Rees-Zammit was denied a try by brilliant Springboks cover defence.
Biggar kicked Wales into the lead through a 10th-minute penalty, but Pollard landed an equalising strike two minutes later as persistent drizzle swirled around the stadium.
Biggar restored Wales’ advantage through a second penalty, while South Africa saw Willemse go off for a head injury assessment as Steyn joined the action.
A tight opening quarter reached its conclusion with South Africa showing an early sign of scrum dominance and Pollard kicking a second penalty to make it 6-6.
South Africa attempted to launch their main ball-carriers at Wales, but the home side defended superbly, with Jenkins at the forefront.
Biggar completed his penalty hat-trick 13 minutes before the break, and referee Paul Williams’ growing impatience at South Africa’s poor technical discipline saw him engage in a lengthy conversation with Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi.
South Africa then saw prop Ox Nche yellow-carded for obstruction on Tompkins, and Biggar’s fourth successful penalty opened up a six-point advantage.
But even though Wales had prop Rhys Carre sin-binned for a technical infringement, they deservedly claimed a 12-9 interval lead after Pollard landed a third penalty.
South Africa sent on a replacement front row of Steven Kitshoff, Marx and Vincent Koch just five minutes after the restart as they looked to establish a foothold in the game.
Wales were forced into a defensive rearguard, but they tackled and harried magnificently before breaking away, forcing South Africa to infringe, and Biggar kicked a 45-metre penalty.
It was a stirring effort by the home side, and although the Springboks looked more threatening in attack than during the first half, it required a 52-metre penalty from Steyn for their next points.
South Africa, however, had other ideas, breaking into Wales’ half from 70 metres out, but wing Makazole Mapimpi had a try disallowed, and the home side retained their narrow advantage before Marx struck following a relentlessly-driven lineout, but Elton Jantjies missed the conversion.
Jantjies final kick penalty, though, meant South Africa sealed the deal and finally broke Welsh resistance.
Despite being without injured captain Alun Wyn Jones and a host of other absent British and Irish Lions, Wales delivered a towering performance, with fly-half Dan Bigger kicking six penalties. Follow below for latest reaction:
Wales 15-15 South Africa
62 mins: A shimmy and a spin sees Francis gain a couple of yards, as Wales regather themselves well following the restart. Biggar then chips the ball out wide to Rees-Zammit, who puts South Africa under further pressure with a kick down the line. South Africa put the ball into touch.
Wales 15-15 South Africa (Pollard pen 60’)
Pollard stays perfect to bring South Africa level. They’ve had the upper hand in this half, and it’s a huge challenge for Wales now to reverse the momentum. Liam Williams is on for the Welsh.
Wales 15-12 South Africa
59 mins: South Africa once again take up position inside the Wales half, before the Springboks win another penalty as Biggar fails to move away.
Wales 15-12 South Africa
57 mins: South Africa continue to power through Wales at the scrum, with the Springboks winning another penalty from the set-piece. Steyn thought about going for goal again but Pollard has kicked for the corner.
Wales 15-12 South Africa (Steyn pen 55’)
That’s quite remarkable from Frans Steyn, as his 54-metre kick drops over the crossbar to cut Wales’ lead to three once again.
Wales 15-9 South Africa
53 mins: South Africa earn a penalty advantage after Wales don’t move away, before Kolisi storms through the unfortunate Tomos Williams as he tried to stop his momentum. Kolisi powered straight through him.
South Africa go back to the earlier penalty and Steyn will kick for goal from inside his own half.
Wales 15-9 South Africa (Biggar pen 51)
What a huge couple of minutes that could be. From being on the back foot, Wales extend their lead. Biggar converts from 40 yards or so.
Wales 12-9 South Africa
49 mins: Huge from Wales, what an effort! It’s Ellis Jenkins again who makes the turnover, stripping the ball out of the South African grasp. They are able to boot clear, before Tomas Francis closes down Jesse Kriel as he tried to run the ball out. Suddenly, Wales flood the middle and there’s Jenkins once more to win the penalty at the breakdown!
Wales 12-9 South Africa
47 mins: Huge pressure from South Africa now! Frans Steyn made the initial break through the centre before Mapimpi took the lead with a chip and charge out on the left wing.
Wales stand strong and recover, but South Africa are five metres out and racking up the phases!
Wales 12-9 South Africa
44 mins: South Africa lose their attacking momentum after Pollard goes for the switch, but rather gets under it.
Still, it requires an impressive take from Adams to haul it in. There is a further exchange of kicks before Wales win a penalty for a knock-on, as Rhys Carré returns to restore Wales to their full contingent.
Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch are the first South Africa changes, as the Springboks refresh their front-row.
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