springboks.rugby
The Springboks came from behind in the final ten minutes to end their Cardiff hoodoo with a 23-18 victory over Wales.
The first test of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour was played in teeming rain at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
The Springboks were rewarded for their forward dominance in the 73rd minute when replacement hooker Malcolm Marx plunged over the line at the back of a "trundling 10-metre lineout drive."
Replacement flyhalf Elton Jantjies missed the touchline conversion but added a penalty goal with the last kick of the game to give the Boks their first win in five attempts in the Welsh capital, since 2013.
There was also a man of the match of the performance from replacement fullback Frans Steyn – who came on in the 12th minute after starter Damian Willemse failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).
The rest of the "Bomb Squad" also made powerful contributions, with the new front row building on the work of the starters from the 45th minute.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, and there was some over-eagerness as we lacked accuracy at times in terms of using our opportunities,” said Springbok coach Jacque Nienaber.
“But this was a valuable win for us because we knew these are the same conditions we can expect in the 2023 World Cup,” he said.
Bok Captain, Siya Kolisi praised the replacements for their huge contribution in closing out the game.
“The players who came off the bench were huge today, and we know that our replacements are always one of our weapons – they were very special today.
Scorers:
Springboks 23 (9) – Try Malcolm Marx. Penalty goals: Handre Pollard (4), Frans Steyn, Elton Jantjies.
Wales 18 (12) – Penalty goals: Dan Biggar (6).
(Source: Springbok Rugby)
