Wales suffered Loftus Versfeld heartbreak in their opening summer Test as a late, late penalty from Damian Willemse condemned them to a 32-29 defeat against South Africa.
Dan Biggar’s side had led for much of the game, taking an 18-3 advantage into the break, only to see the Springboks come back into the game with four second-half tries.
It was a vastly improved performance, though, from Wayne Pivac’s side after their Six Nations defeat by Italy. They played with huge spirit and fight for the 80 minutes. But, ultimately, a lack of discipline let them down as they had four men yellow carded.
Rugby correspondent Mark Orders hands out the player ratings:
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Liam Williams 7
Picked out by South Africa beforehand as a ‘hard guy’, but it was his soft skills that saw him send out a flat pass that put Louis Rees-Zammit over for early try. Involved in a skirmish with Damian de Allende but epitomised Welsh spirit with a feisty, combative display.
Louis Rees-Zammit 8
Give this man an inch and he’ll take an entire motorway. Coasted over for a superbly taken first try and more alert than anyone as he claimed his second. Try-saving tackle but also sent to cooler. It was a disappointing end to a strong all-round effort.
George North 5
Not in the game much in opening half, aside from nice pass for first Welsh score. Some decent defence after the break but saw little ball and couldn’t impose himself.
Nick Tompkins 7
Played a key role in Rees-Zammit’s try as he contested at back of the line. Also defended gamely, chased hard and displayed trademark enthusiasm, with plenty of tackles.
Josh Adams 5
Did enough to avert danger from dangerous high kick from Elton Jantjies in opening half but saw little ball and couldn’t make a major mark.
Dan Biggar 7
Excellent game management saw him bang over a superb long-range drop-goal and he was at the heart of much that was good about Welsh effort in opening half. He made a try-saving tackle on de Klerk but also a yellow card for killing ball. Spent much of game in ref’s ear and penalised for deliberate knock-on at end, with decisive three points resulting. His effort didn’t deserve that. You can never fault his heart.
Kieran Hardy 7
The catalyst for Wales’ bright early start with some outstanding box-kicking but also charged down and spilled a high kick. Pinged for delaying put-in, too. On the whole, he finished in credit.
How did you rate the Wales players? Leave your marks here:
Gareth Thomas 6
Put in a solid shift without any scrummaging alarms and also fronted up with his tackling. Likely to hold his place for second Test.
Ryan Elias 6
Manned the barricades for 50 minutes and didn’t do a lot wrong. Always in the thick of it. A solid effort.
Dillon Lewis 6
Conceded two penalties in first 25 minutes, one of which was at a scrum which he collapsed. But he stuck at it and came back to see the game out after Tomas Francis’ injury.
Will Rowlands 9
Played a critical role in the first try, nicking the lineout and then taking play forward with a carry. Led the way in defence with 16 tackles and also unfailingly made ground as a carrier. Justified his selection, didn’t deserve to leave the field a loser.
Adam Beard 7
The pack leader couldn’t get his hands on the ball in an attacking sense but defended well and teamed up with Faletau to repulse South African maul threat before break.
Dan Lydiate 7
Nothing headline-grabbing, but lots of graft, which is what you need from a blindside. Always there for unglamorous jobs, never shirking anything. Conceded penalty for off feet early in the second half. Subbed not long after.
Tommy Reffell 8
An excellent effort on debut, tackling his heart out and achieving two turnovers, one a perfectly executed job that saw him swoop with speed and expert technique. Then brought down de Jager in full flight. Didn’t stop working.
Taulupe Faletau 9
His worth to Wales simply cannot be overstated. Regularly made ground with ball in hand and brought Etzebeth crashing down with a brave tackle. Deserved a medal for his work in defending maul just before break.
Replacements
Dewi Lake 8
Great try summed up Welsh defiance.
Rhys Carre 5
Some decent carries but yellow-carded for final five minutes.
Alun Wyn Jones 5
Sin-binned, then not sin-binned, then the referee decided he should indeed be sin-binned.
Josh Navidi 6
Some solid tackling.
Tomos Williams 5
Questionable decision to kick the ball to South Africa at end.
Owen Watkin 6
Manned up.
Tomas Francis N/A
Injured after a minute on field; not on long enough to mark.
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