If the second test match was a nail-biter. I’m not sure if anyone has any nails left after today’s Castle Lager Incoming Tour series-decider. It was an epic game filled with false alarm tries, penalty after penalty, and all-around high momentum phases from both sides. But true to our team’s namesake. the Springboks gracefully tackled every hurdle (pun intended) and came out victorious!
?? Series secured ?#SAvWAL pic.twitter.com/UIcateoco5
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) July 16, 2022
A fast start from the Springboks had the home side flying into a 10-0 lead after the opening 15 minutes. Under Jacques Nienaber, the Boks have had a penchant for starting sluggishly, but came out guns blazing, with strong carries from Etzebeth and Lood de Jager in particular.
Both teams tested each other sternly under the high ball, but South Africa coped far better in this department than they did in the previous two Tests, with the back three of Damian Willemse, Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe all winning the ball back in aerial duels.
Despite having tries from Mapimpi and De Allende correctly chalked off, the Boks were still able to make their dominance count when Pollard bashed his way over and converted his own try.
The home side suffered a blow when Cheslin Kolbe was forced off in the 20th minute, his mouth bleeding and evidently concussed. That prompted a backline shuffle as Willie le Roux came on, with Willemse moving to centre and Lukhanyo Am to the right wing.
That change seemed to disrupt the Boks’ momentum as Wales worked their way back into the match, starting with flank Tommy Reffell’s try, before Biggar slotted a penalty to make it a two-point game.
However, the Springboks worked their way upfield thanks to an outside break from Siya Kolisi, winning a penalty and opting for touch. From the subsequent lineout, Mbonambi forced his way over the tryline on his 50th appearance to make it a nine-point game at the break.
Wales again threatened a comeback in the second half as two cheap penalties from the Springboks allowed Biggar to narrow the deficit to just three points.
However, that was when the Springboks turned to their famed Bomb Squad and it paid almost immediate dividends as Siya Kolisi powered over for the home side’s third try after some strong carries from Malcolm Marx and Vincent Koch. Pollard converted to take the Boks to a 10-point advantage, which they never surrendered despite coming under some heavy pressure from the Welsh pack.
After seeing out one final push from Wales, the Springboks pinned the tourists in their own territory and Pollard sealed the result with two further penalties.
Check out SA Rugby Mag for more details.
1⃣0⃣0⃣ ? 5⃣0⃣ ?https://t.co/db59xW72Fz#SAvWAL pic.twitter.com/jdfoOXdRlq
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) July 16, 2022
The DHL stadium went wild, cheering our boys in green right from the kick off. Proving that we are truly #strongertogether.
And now it’s time to celebrate!
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Picture: Cape {town} Etc gallery