South Africa vs Wales LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Josh Adams try and Gareth Anscombe conversion make history
Follow all the reaction from Bloemfontein as Wales beat the Springboks on South African soil for the first time
Replacement fly half Gareth Anscombe kicked a late conversion from the touchline as Wales claimed their first ever away victory in South Africa with an error-strewn 13-12 success over a much-changed Springboks at the Free State Stadium.
Wing Josh Adams crossed for the only try of the game with two minutes left on the clock, leaving Anscombe with a difficult conversion to win the game, but he landed the ball through the centre of the posts to make history for Wayne Pivac’s side.
Stand-in captain Handre Pollard kicked four penalties for a Boks side that had 14 changes in their starting XV from the first test win and never found any fluency in a game where they mostly dominated territory until the final 10 minutes.
The third and deciding test in the series will be played in Cape Town next Saturday.
Follow all the reaction below with our live blog:
Australia 0-10 England, 13 minutes
Penalty to England. Taniela Tupou was picked out at the scrum, and he’s been spotted cleaning out illegally here, leading with the shoulder at a ruck.
Joy Neville, the TMO, calls down to Andrew Brace, who extends an arm England’s way. The tee will again be called for.
Australia 0-10 England, 12 minutes
More joy for England, this time at the scrum, where Australia are ruled to have put weight on early. A free kick is sent upwards, but Marika Koroibete is safely beneath it just outside his own 22.
Australia 0-10 England, 11 minutes
Right, what answer do Australia have? Marika Koroibete meanders then darts forward, spotting a half-hole, one well filled by Billy Vunipola before Koroibete can gather more steam.
Nearly an intercept! Nic White finds former Exeter teammate Jonny Hill shooting out of the line in England’s blindside defence, but the lock can’t quite corral the Australian scrum-half’s pass.
PENALTY! Australia 0-10 ENGLAND (Owen Farrell penalty, 10 minutes)
Ten minutes, ten points - England firmly on top.
Australia 0-7 England, 9 minutes
England are right on it here, though. Maro Itoje wrecks Australia’s mauls and his forward mates pile in for a spot of thievery, ball emerging on the English side. Another penalty to the visitors - this time Owen Farrell will go for goal.
Australia 0-7 England, 8 minutes
A bit of a dance on the tightrope from Tom Wright as the Australian wing gets himself in a spot of bother with a bouncing ball near the touchline, just about managing to keep his toes from being marked by the chalk.
Freddie Steward hits him decisively but his teammates infringe, granting Australia an easy clearance.
Australia 0-7 England, 7 minutes
It’s been a very, very tidy start to life in the starting side for Jack van Poortvliet, with the Leicester nine notably quick to the ruck so far and boxing well after the restart, landing his clearance just over the line near halfway.
TRY! Australia 0-7 ENGLAND (Billy Vunipola try, 5 minutes)
The fast start is capped with a clever, muscular score! It’s canny from England, throwing to a catcher in the middle but shifting the point of emphasis for the drive by Maro Itoje’s swift transfer to the front.
Four English bodies surround Billy Vunipola, who is rapidly sent marching to the line in the warm embrace of a dominant maul. Owen Farrell converts; just about the perfect first five minutes for England.
Australia 0-0 England, 4 minutes
Jordan Petaia stays down after colliding with Freeman’s hip as the England debutant flicked the pass away, and after the ball spills free, he is able to be seen to. This doesn’t look nice at all for Petaia, who appears dazed and unsure of his current whereabouts - Australia may well be losing a third full-back in seven days.
Yes, off he goes for at least an assessment. I’d be surprised if he returns. Izaia Perese is on.
England were awarded a penalty for Australia’s involvement in the ball spilling free. In a sign of intent, there is little thought of a shot at goal - prodded into the right corner for a five-metre lineout.
Australia 0-0 England, 3 minutes
This is a lively opening from England, their play-makers granted plenty of options as they play flat to the line. Tommy Freeman involves himself nicely far from hthe left wing, and then again, providing linking hands as Owen Farrell looks towards Jack Nowell in space.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments