Wales v South Africa LIVE rugby: Latest score and updates as Springboks race out of the blocks in Cardiff – UK Times

A solid set-piece drill from South Africa, but Wales’ maul defence has been strong so far. Can they hold firm elsewhere as the Springboks spread it…?

Wales kick short, somewhat surprisingly, and South Africa can launch another offensive into the home 22. Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth work a classic small-man, big-man combination to threaten, but it is back for another penalty they come after the attack runs aground.

No change in strategy – to the corner to see if the Springboks maul can get on the march.

Held up! Siya Kolisi wrestles out of a tackle and keeps his legs pumping, but that’s outstanding scrambling from Jac Morgan and James Botham, locking around the ball to prevent the Springboks skipper from grounding. Goalline dropout.

Just about stalemate, the officials conclude, as the first scrum hits the deck. Referee Karl Dickson orders a reset.

Stable and steady and away Jasper Wiese goes in search of a third Springboks score.

Welsh hands disrupt the lineout well, though a knock on in the air will bring about the game’s first scrum. It was perhaps the only area where Wales went well against the Wallabies – though this is a significantly tougher challenge, one would suggest.

Two penalties against the hosts allow the Springboks to march deep into Welsh territory. And there’s another advantage coming…

South Africa will take it gladly. Jordan Hendrikse prods his forwards into the corner once more.

A worrying period for Wales now. Eddie James is on early, with Sam Costelow off for an HIA – Ben Thomas will presumably slide across to fly half, where he was stationed on the tour of Austraalia in the summer.

Anything Mostert can do, his lock partner can do better!

Two tries in a matter of moments! Wales are dispossed on their own ten-metre line by a vicious Springboks counter-ruck and trouble is brewing as soon as prop Thomas du Toit plucks the ball. Eben Etzebeth first frees Kurt-Lee Arendse before showing off seriously impressive speed to stay with the wing, taking his inside pass to stride in.

Scintillating from the Springboks!

What rugby! It starts with Kurt-Lee Arendse’s work in the air, the dimunitive wing getting up to claim superbly and then bumping off a tackler. He is felled but Wales are short of number as South Africa use the width on the right, Damian de Allende, Siya Kolisi and co. thundering on. Cheslin Kolbe cuts inward at the right time to keep the ball in play and readily available, and lumbering lock Franco Mostert then hits a dreamy line back against the grain to finish it off. Over goes the conversion.

An excellent kick from Jordan Hendrikse takes the Springboks down into the 22. Johan Grobbelaar hits his jumper at the tail, and off the Boks go, fly ghalf Hendrikse jinking dangerously.

But that’s fine work from Wales in the shadow of their own posts, getting after breakdown ball and drawing a penalty. A chance goes begging for the visitors – though they may wonder if Nicky Smith was on his feet…