South Africa claim victory in their first autumn Test of 2021 as a try from Malcolm Marx with seven minutes left, in addition to four Handre Pollard penalties, a Frans Steyn long-range effort and a final Elton Jantjies penalty secured a 23-18 win over Wales in rain-sodden conditions.
By Michael Cantillon at Principality Stadium
Last Updated: 06/11/21 7:51pm
A crucial late Malcolm Marx try saw the Springboks register a first victory in Cardiff for eight years, as the visitors pinched a 23-18 win over Wales at a sopping wet Principality Stadium.
The Springboks had not won in the Welsh capital since 2013, losing in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, but four Handre Pollard penalties, a long-range Frans Steyn effort, a final Elton Jantjies kick, and Marx’s try sealed a late success.
The Test looked to be going Wales’ way for the majority of it as Dan Biggar kicked six penalties on his return to keep the hosts in the lead time and again in an intense contest.
Despite a clear scrum and maul dominance throughout, the Boks failed for so long to take advantage of their set-piece superiority and produced a performance littered with indiscipline themselves, particularly at the breakdown.
Wing Makazole Mapimpi had a try ruled out with 12 minutes remaining for offside, but that aside, clear chances were scarce for the visitors until Marx and the Boks’ pack came up with a pivotal intervention.
More to follow…