The Welsh were overpowered by mighty South-African forward, as Spingboks’ captain, scrum – half Fourie du Preez’s try in the 75th minute sealed their 23-19 victory in the Rugby World Cupquarter finals at Twickenham.
The Boks raced into a 6-0 lead on Saturday night, through two penalties Handre Pollard, but Wales then gave absolutely everything to take gain their 13-12 advantage at the interval. The result was well deserved reward for brave efforts by their forward and the genius of number ten, Dan Biggar; his drop-goal on the whistle put Wales into the lead after he had set up Gareth Davies' try, his fifth of the tournament.
At this point, Welsh ecstatic supporters, who three weeks ago witnessed the victory over England play in Pool A, were daring to hope. .
A frenetic start to the second half saw Bigger nail a long-range penalty that gave Wales a four point lead (16-12), before South Africa’s forward stepped up a level. The mighty Springboks reclaimed the lead when their 21 year-old fly-half Handre Pollard scored a penalty and a drop-goal to nudge his side ahead at 18-16 for the first time in the match, which was vital.
The peerless Biggar then put Wales back ahead at 19-18, with his 14th points in the match, but an incisive move from a scrum saw South African number eight Duane Vermeulen feed the 33-year old Du Preez, who penetrated through the blind-side to dive over in the corner and win 23-19 for the Boks; there was no time for Wales to reply- the hopes were gone, as they will lament a catalogue of sloppy penalties, especially in the first half.
South Africa now face the All Blacks in the last four after the world champions destroyed France 62-13in Saturday's second quarter-final. Springboks’ Pollard, who kicked five penalties and a drop-goal for his team during this match, and scored 18 points, is the tournament’s leading point-scorer with 64 points.
As for Wales, they will go home satisfied with their contribution to this World Cup; they have displayed absorbing performances in this tournament that were full of drama and captivating sport.