Francois Hougaard’s late try was the only scoring opportunity the Springboks needed in the second half as they held on to sneak a 17-16 victory over a desperately unlucky Wales in their World Cup Pool D clash yesterday.
Hougaard, who had replaced Bryan Habana, took a pass from scrumhalf Morne Steyn to score under the posts after a sustained buildup in what was really the only time the world champions threatened in the second half in Wellington.
However, Wales could consider themselves unlucky not to have recorded just their second victory in 26 Tests over the world champions with the assistant referees seemingly denying them three points from a James Hook penalty in the first half.
Neither lifted their flags as the ball sailed high close to the right upright, though television replays suggested it may have actually just snuck inside the posts.
Despite that decision, flyhalf Rhys Priestland missed a drop-goal attempt and Hook also missed a late penalty, both while they were trailing 17-16, and the Springboks held on to ensure they got their World Cup defense off to a winning start.
The Springboks cast away their conservative play book in the opening minutes, choosing to spread the ball wide, which was rewarded when they stretched the Wales defense on the left and Frans Steyn barreled through the tackle of Shane Williams and over Hook to score in the third minute.
Flyhalf Morne Steyn converted from wide out to give the world champions a 7-0 lead and it ominously looked like they were going to run away with the match.
However, Wales, who had been mindful of allowing the Springboks to consistently keep the scoreboard ticking over, settled and spent the majority of the half inside South Africa’s territory.
They managed to capitalize on that advantage, despite playing into a blustery, swirling, northerly wind, with a Morne Steyn penalty sandwiched between two Hook penalties.
The second half continued in the same vein with Wales again dominating territory and possession, with Hook adding his third penalty before the hard-running No. 8 Toby Faletau crashed over in the 54th minute.
Hook’s conversion gave Wales a 16-10 lead with 25 minutes remaining, though South Africa were stung into action stringing together several phases with Hougaard scoring a try that was converted by Morne Steyn to give the Springboks a 17-16 lead with 15 minutes remaining.
Despite the score being closer than many suspected, the fact the Springboks managed to pull out a victory from few scoring opportunities and defending for much of the match showed they would not be giving up their title lightly.
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