ales‘ bid for a series win in South Africa fell on the last hurdle as the springbok delivered in the third Test with a 30-14 win.
The series was about to come to a close in Cape Town, with South African head coach Jacques Nienaber recalling eight of South Africa’s 2019 World Cup-winning team after Wales equalized a week ago.
It proved to be the right decision as South the Springboks took the series 2-1 through tries from Handre PollardBongi Mbonambi and He is a Collegewith Pollard kicking three conversions and three penalties for a distance of 20 points.
Wales have been fighting hard all along and their defensive resistance has often proved heroic, but they could only muster a Tommy Reffell try and three penalties from captain Dan Biggar as they beat the same series success for Ireland in New Zealand and England earlier in the day. Australia missed.
Just four months after Italy’s defeat at home in the Guinness Six Nations, Wales will consider the tour successful in so many ways, especially with a view to next year’s World Cup.
And they also made history with their win in Bloemfontein, making them the first team from Wales to beat the Springboks on South African soil.
But in the end South Africa had too much in the tank for a team from Wales that gave it their all and generated a lot of optimism for Pivac as the World Cup countdown continues.
Wales suffered a late blow when number eight Taulupe Faletau was ruled out after the warm-up with an injury to his side, with Josh Navidi replacing him and Taine Basham joining the substitutes. The loss of such an experienced operator as Faletau would have hit Wales hard and in the fourth minute they were close to falling behind.
Spring boxing center Lukhanyo Am kicked into space and wing Makazole Mapimpi gathered before crossing the Wales line, but replays showed his left foot was in contact and the try was correctly ruled out.
Pollard then kicked out a short-range penalty, and South Africa was very intense, with fullbacks Damian Willemse and Damian de Allende both close to landing before relentless pressure was rewarded with a Pollard effort which he also converted.
A slippery playing surface made life difficult for both teams but Wales showed great character and scored from their first attack as Reffell claimed his first test attempt after strong tackling work from Adams and George North.
Tommy Reffell’s effort brought Wales back into the game in the first half
/ REUTERSBiggar knocked out a penalty seven minutes before half time, but South Africa then struck from a close-range lineout, driving the Wales defenders back before Mbonambi landed to mark his 50th cap in style. Pollard added the conversion and Wales came in at half-time trailing 17-8.
Pivac made two changes for the second period, sending hooker Dewi Lake and gag Sam Wainwright, and another Biggar penalty narrowed the gap to six points.
South Africa should have scored a third try shortly afterwards, but scrum half Jaden Hendrikse’s pass was judged forward and Am was denied after breaking through the Welsh defences.
Biggar scored a third penalty after 48 minutes, but South Africa reacted within five minutes via a Kolisi attempt which Pollard converted, leading the Springboks 24-14.
And two more Pollard penalties in the final minutes closed the game as South Africa secured a winning farewell to their Rugby Championship campaign which kicks off in three weeks against New Zealand.
Additional coverage by PA Sport.