South Africa holds on for Wales win

South Africa overcame a late onslaught to beat Wales 34-31 in a rugby union international at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The Springboks reversed an early 16-3 deficit to lead 31-19 with 20 minutes to go after tries by Odwa Ndungana, Dewald Potgieter and Juan de Jongh and accurate kicking by Ruan Pienaar, who kicked four penalties and two conversions.

South Africa captain John Smit praised the three Springboks newcomers, who included try-scorer De Jongh.

“I thought the new guys were outstanding. Not only did they fit in well but they fitted into the level of training and they didn’t look too bad out there on the field,” Smit said.

“It’s good to know you have these guys to fall back on when people are out through poor form or injury.”

Late tries by Tom Prydie and Alun-Wyn Jones took the Welsh to within three points near the end but the World Cup holders held on.

“We are frustrated,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland. “In the opening 25 minutes we were clinical, accurate and 16-3 up, and then we caught some sort of disease, I don’t know what it is.

“We got ourselves in a bit of trouble, got behind and then showed great character at the end. But we are frustrated at a missed opportunity.”

The Welsh raced into an early 13-point lead after two penalties by Stephen Jones and a converted try by James Hook, who also dropped a goal.

The outside centre persuaded the selectors to field him for this game before he heads for shoulder surgery which will rule him out of this month’s two-Test series in New Zealand.

Hook intercepted a risky long-range pass by South Africa hooker and captain John Smit to burst clear and score the try which Jones converted.

That opened up the 13-point lead with just 22 minutes gone. But the South Africans, despite missing several front line Bulls and Stormers players held back for the Super 14 final, hit back to trim that advantage to two by halftime.

The Boks picked up a loose ball inside the Wales 22 and fed winger Ndungana, who went over despite a strong tackle which forced him to go off injured.

Although Pienaar missed the conversion, he kicked three first-half penalties and the Springboks went into halftime trailing 16-14.

South Africa went ahead early in the second half when Potgieter took Danie Rossouw’s short pass to charge through a gap for his first international try.

Pienaar converted and, although Jones made it 21-19 with his third penalty, long-range expert Steyn just made his kick float over the bar to keep his side five points ahead in the 56th minute.

De Jongh added the third South African try after a turnover in the Wales half and Pienaar converted to open up a 31-19 lead.

Prydie went over in the corner for his first international try but Jones missed the conversion and that miss looked even more expensive when Pienaar kicked his fourth penalty.

Alun-Wyn Jones added Wales’ third try from Sam Warburton’s pass and Jones’ conversion cut the lead to three points going into the final minute.

But the home side was unable to take advantage of late possession in the Springboks’ half and the world champions held on.

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© 2010 The Associated Press