Rugby World Cup Match Report - South Africa 17 - 16 Wales
South Africa denied Wales what would have been a famous victory as they started the defence of the World Cup with a 17-16 win in Wellington.
First Half
The champions started the game in explosive fashion and it took only three minutes for their early pressure to turn into points as Frans Steyn found space on the wing inside the Wales 22 and powered his way past Shane Williams to touch down in the corner. Morne Steyn did well to convert the try in blustery conditions at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
Warren Gatland would have been proud with the response of his players after falling behind so early on in the match and they soon found themselves on the scoreboard when James Hook successfully converted a penalty in the ninth minute.
South Africa's early dominance soon disappeared as Wales had the champions on the back foot for prolonged spells in the first half. They were handed an opportunity to add another three points to their tally when JP Pietersen was penalised for a high tackle on Mike Phillips; however Hook's effort was overruled and the Springboks maintained their four point lead.
Peter de Villiers' side were handed an opportunity to increase their lead in the 18th minute when Dan Lydiate was penalised for being offside at the ruck. Morne Steyn restored the champions' seven point lead with the kick.
Wales were beginning to take control of the match with James Hook making a phenomenal kick and catch to gain ground for the Welsh and in the 29th minute their impressive play was showing on the scoreboard as Hook converted another penalty after Springboks' number seven Schalk Burger failed to roll away from a tackle.
The first half ended with a series of kicking errors from both teams as Morne Steyn and Rhys Priestland missed drop goal attempts which meant that the defending champions carried a four point lead as they went into the half time break.
Second Half
South Africa started the second half in the same way they started the first, the only difference this time being that they failed to create any try scoring chances. After weathering the early storm, Wales grew in confidence and they found themselves within one point of the Springboks in the 50th minute thanks to a third successful penalty kick from James Hook.
Wales' immense pressure was eventually rewarded after 54 minutes when 20 year old Toby Faletau found space to score a try to give Wales the lead in the match for the first time. The impressive James Hook added the extras from the boot giving the Welsh a six point cushion as they entered the final quarter of the match.
Gatland would have been dreaming of a famous win moments later when Jamie Roberts broke through South Africa's defensive line, but his excitement soon turned to disappointment as the ball was knocked on metres short of the try line.
After being put under pressure for a long period of the second half, the champions finally managed to launch some attacks and in typical Springbok style they broke the Welsh defence in the 65th minute as Francois Hougaard ran under the posts to score his side's second try of the game. Morne Steyn converted the try which gave the champions a slender one point lead.
Gatland's men did everything they could to regain the lead but it wasn't to be after Priestland missed a drop goal and James Hook missed a late penalty.
Wales' heroic efforts in the final 15 minutes of the match were in vain as the Springboks saw the game out to win by one point in what was a truly thrilling contest in Wellington.
Man of the Match: Toby Faletau
South Africa:
Tries: Hougaard (1), F. Steyn (1)
Conversions: M. Steyn (2)
Penalties: M. Steyn
Wales:
Tries: Faletau (1)
Conversions: Hook (1)
Penalties: Hook (3)
.jpg "Henry Pollock, who was part of the England U20s set-up last term, scored two tries off the bench")
