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Wales edge Boks in dire American Affair

MATCH REPORT:  The Springboks’ June Test campaign kicked off on a sour note as the side went down 20-22 to Wales.

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Ryan Elias scored a crucial late try to give Wales the win over South Africa at RFK Stadium in Washington.

The final 10 minutes saw Springbok replacement Robert du Preez go from hero to zero. First he kicked what looked like a match-winning penalty to put South Africa 20-17 up.

But just minutes later he was charged down by Wales scrumhalf Tomos Williams and Elias pounced to ground the ball and score the game’s decisive try.

Earlier in the match Wales had scored through fullback Hallam Amos and debutant Williams, South Africa responding with tries from wing pair Travis Ismaiel and Makazole Mapimpi.

Gareth Anscombe and Elton Jantjies kicked the rest of the points, but just when Du Preez looked like he’d won it, Elias ensured it was an afternoon to celebrate for Wales.

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Both sides named youthful outfits with the build-up to the game dominated by criticism of the 80 minutes as a money-making public relations exercise which devalued international rugby.

For the players involved it was a chance to make an impression, though the forecast pre-match rain made for slippery conditions. The weather contributed towards a woeful opening quarter.

Starting at centre for Wales, George North carried forwards and South Africa were pinged at the breakdown. Anscombe stepped up from out wide, but couldn’t nail the penalty attempt.

Both sides seemed keen to play, but the error count was high and a messy scrum contributed to the scrappy nature of the game.

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Wales went off their feet at a ruck after Amos claimed a high ball, allowing Springbok flyhalf Jantjies to open the scoring. At that stage Wales were struggling, but the loss of wing Steffan Evans to injury coincided with them finding their feet.

Evans limped off after a nasty collision with opposite number Ismaiel. Hadleigh Parkes replaced his Scarlets team-mate and moved into the centre with North returning to his more customary wing berth. It worked immediately.

Parkes was involved in a Wales breakaway, Ross Moriarty more than played his part and Amos sent the South African defence the wrong way with a dummy to cross the line. Anscombe converted.

It soon got even better for Wales, scrum-half Williams marking his international debut for a close-range try which Anscombe once again improved.

Wales had rebuffed a South African attack to win a vital penalty at the end of the first half, but they gifted their opponents a way back into the game when it resumed. Ismaiel was the scorer, picking off a pass from Amos to make his way to the line and score.

Jantjies converted for what was an ideal start to the second period for Rassie Erasmus’ men.

Anscombe responded to give his team some breathing room by kicking a penalty before missing with another long-range effort.

The American crowd booed the decision to go for goal on both occasions, but the crowd soon had the grandstand finish they were after. Jantjies chipped ahead and Wales centre Owen Watkin was adjudged via the TMO to have deliberately chipped the ball out of play.

He was yellow carded and perhaps lucky not to concede a penalty try. It mattered little for those of Springbok persuasion. From the scrum, the ball was spread back left where Mapimpi dived over and Jantjies converted to tie the game and set up a thrilling finale.

Even with Watkin returning to the field South Africa were dominant and Du Preez entered and looked to have won the game when he slotted a simple kick following a scrum penalty. But there was still time for more drama as the replacement back’s kicked was blocked by Williams and Elias dotted down for a score which sent Wales wild.

Man of the match: The spectacular moments were far and few between. However, there was one player who stood out from the rest, he was instrumental in setting up South Africa’s two tries and therefore the deserving servant of our man of the match goes to Springbok centre André Esterhuizen

The Scorers:

For South Africa
Tries: Ismaiel, Mapimpi
Cons: Jantjies 2
Pens: Jantjies, R Du Preez

For Wales:
Tries: B Amos, Williams, Elias
Cons: Anscombe 2
Pen: Anscombe

Yellow card: Owen Watkin (Wales, 56 – Professional Foul)

Teams

South Africa: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Mahlatse Ralepelle, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nché.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Warrick Gelant.

Wales: 15 Hallam Amos, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 George North, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Ellis Jenkins (captain), 6 Seb Davies, 5 Cory Hill, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Nicky Smith.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Rhys Patchell/Gareth Davies, 23 Hadleigh Parkes.

Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Alexandre Ruiz (France), Frank Murphy (Ireland)
TMO: David Grashoff (England)

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