South Africa v Wales LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Damian Willemse kicks Springboks to last-gasp win

Follow reaction from the first Test of Wales’ summer tour as the Springboks break Welsh hearts

(AFP via Getty Images)

Full back Damian Willemse kicked a pressure penalty after the hooter to secure South Africa rugby a 32-29 victory over ill-disciplined Wales rugby in a see-saw test at a raucous Loftus Versfeld.

Louis Rees-Zammit crossed twice in the first half to put Wales in control and Dewi Lake also crossed to seemingly snatch a draw late on for the tourists, who came agonisingly close to their first-ever victory on South African soil.

They ran the world champions so close but paid the price for their cynical play in their own 22 as they lost four players to yellow cards and conceded a penalty try.

The Springboks might have won by a greater margin but for their own lacklustre play as their tactical kicking was abysmal and decision-making in key phases of play unusually poor. Hookers Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx, and wing Cheslin Kolbe, crossed for tries for the home side. The second of three tests will be played in Bloemfontein next Saturday with Wales still in search of a first win in South Africa after 11 attempts.

Follow all the reaction below with our live blog:

South Africa vs Wales

• 80’ - PENALTY! Willemse wins it with last kick of the game (32-29)
• 77’ - TRY! Lake goes over to level the scores for 13-man Wales (29-29)
• 75’ - TRY! Penalty try put Springboks ahead for first time and Wales reduced to 12 men (29-24)
• 66’ - TRY! Kolbe goes over out wide (22-24)
• 52’ - TRY! Marx barrels over for a second Boks try (15-18)
• 46’ - TRY! Mbonambi mauls over to narrow the gap (10-18)
• 32’ - TRY! Rees-Zammit goes over for his second try out of nothing (3-18)
• 3’ - TRY! Rees-Zammit sprints over to give Wales shock lead (0-5)
• Wales face world champions South Africa in first of three-match series
• Welsh have lost all 10 of their previous matches in South Africa

[2 July 2022 17:50 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 22-24 Wales (Cheslin Kolbe try, 66 minutes)

South Africa strike again! It is a try made by the back-row replacements, first Kwagga Smith all energy and enmity as he arrows into Josh Navidi from the back of the maul, then Elrigh Louw’s long, powerful frame driving to within five metres. Quick ball is efficiently moved to the left and then right.

Damian de Allende spots space in the right corner, prods into it, and Cheslin Kolbe has the simple job of gathering and scoring. Damian Willemse converts superbly - South Africa just two behind, and it seems they may be more bother for Wales...

[2 July 2022 17:49 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 15-24 Wales, 65 minutes

A loose ball is ruled out by the referee and South Africa nearly pounce. The lineout will be theirs just inside the Welsh 22.

[2 July 2022 17:48 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY! South Africa 15-24 WALES (Dan Biggar penalty, 63 minutes)

And Dan Biggar duly adds three more from the tee. Wales again in front by more than a single converted score, with the intensity of the South African fightback very much dulled.

(AFP via Getty Images)

[2 July 2022 17:47 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 15-21 Wales, 61 minutes

Hints of open space for Will Rowlands and the big second row takes advantage, putting his foot down as he races on a leftward arc, producing a nifty show-and-go.

South Africa are penalised in an eminently kickable position...

[2 July 2022 17:44 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 15-21 Wales, 59 minutes

De Klerk’s clearance isn’t the longest, but Wales get their maul wrong, making the basic error of straying too close to the touchline and all too easily chaperoned over it.

The visitors then close the gap at the lineout, with Kwagga Smith tapping quickly and charging forth into Dewi Lake, who stands him up well. Another error - de Klerk again off target with his box kick, which drifts out on the full.

[2 July 2022 17:42 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 15-21 Wales, 58 minutes

Louis Rees-Zammit chips deep in behind and then forms part of a Welsh blind alley that Willie le Roux rather runs down. Le Roux in the end does well to keep the ball alive long enough for support to arrive, enabling de Klerk to clear.

[2 July 2022 17:40 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 15-21 Wales, 57 minutes

Faf de Klerk looks to play the percentages, twice box kicking. The second one is directly diagonally for the corner, but tumbles on a roll or three too far, and out in touch in goal. All the way back Wales will come for a scrum feed on halfway.

Tomos Williams puts in having relieved Kieran Hardy.

[2 July 2022 17:38 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY! South Africa 15-21 WALES (Dan Biggar penalty, 55 minutes)

And the Welsh lead is doubled to six points by another clean Biggar strike.

[2 July 2022 17:37 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa 15-18 Wales, 54 minutes

That might be a foothold that Wales need. Jasper Wiese runs into Alun Wyn Jones and Rhys Carre, a new arrival on the Welsh loosehead, with plenty of support - but all three South African support runners flop off their feet. Dan Biggar points to the posts.

[2 July 2022 17:35 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 15-18 Wales (Malcolm Marx try, 51 minutes)

Another driving maul, and South Africa are over again!

This is the Springboks modus operandi, going to their power game to force their way back into the contest. Again Wales are powerless to quell the drive, Malcolm Marx hitting his jumper, sweeping to the back and riding in the motorcade all the way to the line. The conversion is missed.