South Africa vs Wales

2022 - 7 - 3

Post cover — Image courtesy of "WalesOnline"

South Africa v Wales: Live updates and score (WalesOnline)

Follow all the action from the opening Test match between the Springboks and Wales with our live blog below.

It's going to be a full house at the 52,000 capacity Loftus Versfeld with today's first Test in Pretoria a complete sell out. I can see them starting the game in their traditional way by looking for penalties from set-pieces and turning the Welsh with their kicking. They had second row Darcy Swain red carded for a headbutt in retaliation to hair-pulling from his opposite number Johnny Hill on 34 minutes. Before the anthems, a moment of silence in respectful memory of former Wales and Lions captain Phil Bennett who died last month. We've had the anthems and it's now time for the game to get underway. Wales coach Wayne Pivac said: "He has been a legend of the game, respected worldwide. The predatory Rees-Zammit was the first to react, hacking on and collecting the ball on the bounce to race over. The centre collided with Elton Jantjies as they both went for the ball and it spilled to the ground. They spoil a South African lineout and second row Will Rowlands charges up the left. A double tackle by Taulupe Faletau and Dan Lydiate on Springboks prop Fran Malherbe, who tips over to the ground head first. A second touchdown for Louis Rees-Zammit who wins the race after kicking on a loose ball. That means a return to the fray for fellow tighthead Dillon Lewis.

South Africa v Wales LIVE rugby: Latest score and updates from first ... (The Independent)

Lydiate and centre George North return to international rugby after more than a year away from the Test match arena because of serious knee injuries. Head coach ...

And soon after the South Africa hooker is over! Penalty to the Springboks for holding on and another visit to the Wales 22. Dan Biggar is again spoken to about his team’s discipline. The tighthead is helped on to a cart to be taken off, head and neck protected. The conversion is missed. Jones is joined among the replacements by fellow British and Irish Lions player Josh Navidi, with Tomos Williams providing scrum-half cover for Kieran Hardy.

South Africa v Wales live: Score and latest updates from the first Test (Telegraph.co.uk)

Lake powers over from a maul, pressure on Biggar to potentially seal Wales' first ever win on South African soil. The pressure seeps through, he clips it wide.

It's been scrappy from the hosts with another spillage from South Africa leading to the first scrum. The pandemic has prevented them from attending matches in South Africa of late. South Africa had a prolonged time in attack but Wales have once again forced the hosts to kick the ball away. Ten of the World Cup squad start against Wales in Pretoria. South Africa win it back as Hardy delays his put in, Kolisi pushed the scrum-half afterwards with Biggar having a few choice words for his opposition skipper. The kick from Jantjies goes dead though, the fly-half having a rough start to this, and so there's a Wales scrum. South Africa win a penalty as Elias holds on at the breakdown. Wales had full control in the first half, blowing South Africa away. South Africa are on the hunt for another try now, it is tense in Pretoria! Kolbe knocked the ball forward but the ref was playing an advantage in South Africa's favour. South Africa defend it perfectly though as they push them into touch. Kolbe made a great break and South Africa could taste blood.

South Africa beat dogged Wales with last kick of game in 32-29 thriller (The Guardian)

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

Wales player ratings vs South Africa | 1st Test July 2022 (RugbyPass)

Wales player ratings: After a mixed bag of a Six Nations, Wayne Pivac confessed to having had many sleepless nights following Wales'...

This is a role the former skipper could get used to. “Tommy Turnover” had an excellent start in a red shirt. Another player welcomed back to the Wales setup with open arms. With his telescopic limbs, he did a stellar job of halting the Boks from getting going. There is nothing more powerful than a Springbok maul, but Adam Beard fears them not. Lewis’ selection raised a few eyebrows, but much like Gareth Thomas, he resisted the force of Ox Nche. Had to play virtually 80 minutes, which no tighthead wants. Rowlands hasn’t had many opportunities in open space for Wales, until today. Was substituted at the right time. Ended the game with a yellow card, puzzled though he may look. Copped a yellow card to stop his team from conceding on half-time. 4. Will Rowlands – 7 10. Dan Biggar – 7

PLAYER RATINGS: Faletau was immense, but Lewis had a tough ... (Daily Mail)

Damian Willemse broke Welsh hearts with the final kick of a pulsating Test match as world champions South Africa triumphed 32-29 at Loftus Versfeld.

Tommy Reffell - 7 Dan Lydiate - 7 Nick Tompkins - 7 George North - 7 Liam Williams - 7 Cheslin Kolbe - 7

Boks' late win over ill-disciplined Wales (Rugby.com.au)

South Africa have held off Wales to win the first of three rugby union Tests 32-29 with a late penalty from Damian Willemse.

"It was a big step up from our last performance but the discipline is clearly disappointing. "I'm gutted. The Welsh silenced them early.