Wales made history as they gained their first ever away Test win over South Africa, with Gareth Anscombe converting Josh Adams’ late try to secure Wayne Pivac’s side a 13-12 triumph.
The match wasn’t a classic, but the tourists stayed in the fight before replacement Adams crossed in the corner.
Anscombe then banged over a superbly judged conversion from the touchline.
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The result sets up a winner-takes-all clash in the series in Cape Town next weekend.
MARK ORDERS dishes out the Wales player ratings.
Liam Williams 7
Started as if he meant it, soaring high to claim a kick and then smashing Kriel with a tackle. Work under the high ball was good and there were a couple of nice back-door passes. Deserved to finish a winner for his attitude alone.
Louis Rees-Zammit 6
The previous weekend he’d become the first Welsh player to score two tries in an away Test against South Africa, but there were no chances here. Stuck at it, though, contesting everything.
George North 6
Decent moments in defence, including a fine hit on Kurt-Lee Arendse in the second-half, but Wales couldn’t get their top midfield strike runner into the game in an attacking sense. That said, he never gave up, coming into the match more as it came to the boil.
Nick Tompkins 7
Busy around the field and good in defence. Not a great day for sublime attacking, but Tompkins’ sheer industry caught the eye.
Alex Cuthbert 6
Needed a try to enter Wales’ top 10 all-time try scorers but lasted just 17 minutes before leaving the field injured. Had taken a couple of high balls and put in one good tackle, but no time for anything truly game-changing.
Dan Biggar 6
Pluses included a nice cross kick and brave defence. Minuses saw him miss two out of three goal-kicks while he also collected a nasty bang to a shoulder early in second half. Left pitch on 53 minutes.
Kieran Hardy 7
Continued where he left off in Pretoria with some fine early box-kicking and excellent chasing. Once surprised by South Africa’s counter-rucking, but otherwise tidy before being replaced at half-time.
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Gareth Thomas 7
Quietly efficient in the first Test but conceded a first-quarter penalty after dropping a scrum here. The Welsh setpiece was otherwise solid in the opening half, though.
Ryan Elias 7
Brave tackle on Esterhuizen early doors, one of five hits from Elias in first quarter as he worked tirelessly. Also snaffled a loose ball on floor. One loose lineout throw, but nothing major to complain about.
Dillon Lewis 7
Last senior tighthead standing after Tomas Francis’ injury, and he did a creditable job in the opening half. Life started to get tougher after the break with South Africa upping the scrum pressure, but Lewis did what was asked of him. Left field after taking a bump on 66 minutes.
Will Rowlands 6
No real opportunity to put an early mark on the game with his carrying. Didn’t miss anything in defence, though, and the effort was always there.
Adam Beard 7
Good defence, not so prominent with ball in hand, but, then, it was a game fought in the trenches and there were not many chances for Beard to show up going forward. He was there at the end, though, scrapping for everything.
Dan Lydiate 9
Defensive masterclass, with 18 tackles made and every one nailed, with one shot on Pieter-Steph du Toit among the most memorable hits, stopping the back-rower dead in his tracks. Vintage Lydiate, then.
Tommy Reffell 9
Second Test syndrome? Reffell didn’t entertain such a notion.
Turned over Esterhuizen early on and followed it up with brilliant work later to relieve Coetzee of possession. “He’s got it all, hasn’t he?” pondered Jamie Roberts in commentary. On the evidence of the past two weeks, the response should come in the affirmative.
Reffell was also on the scene for another turnover late on.
Taulupe Faletau 9
The only Welsh forward to make any sort of ground in the opening half, but it was Faletau’s work at the base, tidying, sorting and clearing up, that truly impressed. He never has a bad game, and didn’t here. His place as a Welsh great is assured.
Replacements
Dewi Lake 5
One dreadful lineout throw followed up by two others darts going awry. Tried to atone with his carrying, but it wasn’t his day.
Wyn Jones 7
No shortage of effort.
Sam Wainwright 7
Cut eye, nice carry, two scrums negotiated, with his opponent conceding a penalty at one. A day the debutant will remember for the rest of his life, then.
Alun Wyn Jones 6
Furious after being yellow-carded for the second week running. But came back to play his part.
Josh Navidi 6
Threw one awful pass but involved in late flurries.
Tomos Williams 6
Flicked out passes, not seen much as a runner.
Gareth Anscombe 9
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Superlative goal-kick to win match, superb pass for Adams’ try.
Josh Adams 7
Joined Alun Wyn Jones in being dumbfounded by lock’s yellow card. Great finish at end, showing his quality.
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