Wales (13) 13
Tries: Lake Cons: Costelow Pens: Costelow (2)
South Africa (14) 41
Tries: Kriel, penalty try, Mapimpi, Mbonambi, van der Merwe Cons: Hendrikse (3), Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2) Pens: Hendrikse, Feinberg-Mngomezulu
A fast start saw Jesse Kriel and a penalty try put South Africa in the ascendancy as Wales would toil in the early stages with their discipline letting them down.
Being reduced to 13 men would though rally Warren Gatland’s side as Dewi Lake’s score and a pair of Sam Costelow penalties would put them within a point of their vastly experienced opposition at the break.
Whilst Wales would battle in the second 40, the World champions would be too strong and would move up the gears with tries from Makazole Mapimpi, Bongi Mbonambi and Edwill van der Merwe sealing a convincing win.
Gatland’s side though would be able to take great heart from the performance after fighting admirably in the London sunshine with several players putting their hands up for starting selection in the tour of Australia, it would be though Wales’ seventh test defeat in a row.
Having the odds firmly in their favour with a vastly experienced full strength line up, the World champions would be the side who would strike first to take an early lead in the fourth minute.
A flowing move on the counter attack full of pace and intensity seeing Kriel combine with centre Makazole Mapimpi to easily carve open the Welsh defense, before returning the ball back to the wing to open the scoring in the corner.
Fly-half Sam Costelow put Gatland’s side on the scoreboard with along range penalty, but in a period of ill-discipline Wales found themselves reduced to 13 men.
Firstly Dragons wing Rio Dyer would be sent to the sin bin for deliberate offside after denying a try scoring opportunity, then minutes later number eight Aaron Wainwright joining his regional teammate on the sidelines for pulling down a maul in a phase of play that saw a series of infringements which would lead to a penalty try to the Springboks.
In a scrappy error-strewn half, however, South Africa would uncharacteristically not capitalise on the numerical advantage and with Wales back to full quota they would be the ones who would be galvonised to find a way back in the match.
A turning point being the third player of the afternoon to see the card of referee Chris Busby, full back Aphelele Fassi would be sent to the bin for a wild flailing boot in to the face of the excellent Taine Plumtree trying to gather a high ball.
Wales benefited from the resulting penalty with captain Lake going over in the corner after sloppy play from the Southern Hemisphere side who would show poor hands at the lineout. Scarlets Costelow showing excellent composure to cleanly strike the extras from the left-hand side over the posts.
A deliberate knock-on from the rattled visitors then allowed the fly-half to reduce the scoreline to just a point at the break as Gatland would no doubt be satisfied with his side’s effort after their poor start.
Rassie Erasmus’ side though would fly out of the traps after the break and would assert their authority on the game with a slick try from the get-go.
A flowing move catching Wales cold with Mapimpi flying over the try into the corner just 88 seconds after the re-start.
Wales would fight and give a good account of themselves with the often recent fragile defense showing solidarity, whilst the Welsh driving maul would come close to upsetting the powerful and experienced Springbok pack.
The next score would feel to be crucial aspect in the context of the match and it would go to the Springboks. Replacement fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu showing why he is regarded as being the next big thing by many in the African ranks, converting a long-range penalty from within his own half to all but seal the result.
Back on the front-foot and with the physicality taking a toll on Wales, South Africa would run in a fourth try to put gloss on the scoreline. Hooker Mbonambi rubbing salt in the Welsh wounds driving over from close-range seconds after narrowly escaping a yellow card for dangerous play.
A fifth try was run in the last five minutes as Welsh bodies tired. Debutant Van der Merwe stepping past the miss-match of Welsh replacements Harri O’Connor and Mackenzie Martin before then powering past Cam Winnett’s challenge to finish the afternoon’s scoring.
It would not be Wales’ day but it would be an eventful afternoon for Warren Gatland’s side who will take the positives but would be well beaten in the end.
Wales XV:
Cameron Winnett, Liam Williams, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer, Sam Costelow, Ellis Bevan
Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (captain), Keiron Assiratti, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter, Taine Plumtree, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright.
South Africa XV:
Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Faf de Klerk, Ox Nche
Malcolm Marx, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith,
Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), Evan Roos.
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
