Springboks overcome battling Wales
Depleted Wales produced a battling performance before Rugby World Cup champion South Africa turned on the power to triumph 41-13 at Twickenham yesterday.
Despite conceding two tries and collecting two yellow cards in the first 15 minutes, Wales defied the pre-match predictions by making it a contest until two late Springboks converted tries.
Wales’ list of absentees ran into double figures and they were widely expected to suffer a crushing defeat.
But they trailed only 14-13 at halftime following a try for outstanding captain Dewi Lake, with flyhalf Sam Costelow adding two penalties and a conversion.
The Springboks, who are building for a two-test home series against Six Nations champion Ireland next month, often struggled to impose themselves in their first outing since retaining the World Cup eight months ago.
There were touchdowns for centre Jesse Kriel, wings Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe and hooker Bongi Mbonambi, plus a penalty try, while newcomers Jordan Hendrikse and Sacha Feinbergmngomezulu landed six shots at goal.
The Springboks went ahead inside four minutes when a sweeping attack was finished by Kriel, and another surge featuring No 8 Evan Roos prompted a professional foul by Wales wing Rio Dyer, who was sin-binned.
South Africa attacked from a close-range lineout and referee Chris Busby awarded a penalty try after Wales No 8 Aaron Wainwright illegally pulled down the maul. Wainwright was yellowcarded, Wales was down to 13 men, and South Africa led 14-3. Wales didn’t concede, though. When Boks fullback Aphelele Fassi was yellow-carded after his boot caught flanker Taine Plumtree in the face, South Africa could not clear the danger and Lake pounced for an opportunist converted try, making it 14-10.
A second Costelow penalty meant South Africa led by just a point.
South Africa struck two minutes into the second half after giving Mapimpi an overlap to score, and Hendrikse kicked a long-range penalty.
His replacement Feinbergmngomezulu slotted a penalty and they led by 14.