With hosts South Africa preventing back in the second half to safe a slender 32-29 victory over Wales in the first Test at Loftus on Saturday, there have been a number of highlights price discussing after the conflict.
First-half frustrations
The Springboks placed on a wretched first-half show as they returned to enjoying in entrance of a capability crowd at dwelling. And they solely grew extra pissed off as the Wales pack, splendidly cohesive and decided, stymied their rolling mauls and stood up in the collisions.
The dwelling aspect barely fired a shot regardless of having fun with sufficient territory and possession. The maul – largely nullified by Wales – and speculative kicks appeared to be their solely attacking weapons.
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Elton Jantjies had a very poor time. His kicks out of hand have been usually miscued, together with one penalty that went touch-in-goal. He additionally missed a few photographs at objective and spilled the ball that led to Rees-Zammit’s second strive.
Wales, on the different hand, have been scientific in punishing no matter errors the Springboks made in their very own half, with rampant wing Louis Rees-Zammit scoring twice.
Impetus from the bench
Trailing 18-3 at half-time and questioning the place their subsequent factors would come from, the Springboks definitely got here out with fireplace of their bellies, little question after a roasting from coach Jacques Nienaber.
Their maul was revitalised because of larger goal, however particularly as a result of they launched some variation with peels off the aspect to separate the Welsh defence.
Willie le Roux had changed Elton Jantjies from the begin of the second half and introduced some route to the backline, however the actual distinction got here up entrance when the bomb squad forwards got here on and smashed. The elevate in depth was palpable and debutant Elrigh Louw made a storming run into the shadow of the poles to assist arrange Cheslin Kolbe’s essential strive.
Dependable Damian, determined Dan
With Jantjies off, South Africa didn’t actually have an ace goalkicker on the area for the second half, however Damian Willemse stepped up admirably. Solid usually play at fullback after which rotating effectively with Le Roux at flyhalf, in addition to offering some slick attacking touches, Willemse kicked two conversions, together with one from the touchline, which was essential in a good sport.
And he loved his second of glory, stepping as much as take the angled penalty after the remaining hooter that received the sport and spared the Springboks’ blushes after they conceded a maul attempt to a pack that had two forwards in the sin-bin.
This 12 months has seen the proficient Willemse blossom as a extremely reliable performer.
Wales captain Dan Biggar, by comparability, had a night that rivalled Jantjies’ for awfulness. He appeared to be having a operating battle by the match with the Springboks and the referee, was yellow-carded in the second half, after which it was his deliberate knock-on which gave South Africa their matchwinning penalty.
Wiese: Prim and highly effective
Eighthman Jasper Wiese was a deserved man of the match.
One of the few Springboks to shine of their disjointed first half, Wiese was an exceptional ball-carrier, averaging 4 metres per carry, and made some crunching tackles.
It was additionally most pleasing that every one his ferocity didn’t come at the value of his self-discipline.
Wiese has conceded a number of penalties in the previous, however on Saturday evening he was prim and correct and saved his nostril clear.