adminPRETORIA. – It is still hard to comprehend what we witnessed in Pretoria.
As South Africa and Wales prepare for the second Test in Bloemfontein, both sides will dwell on what happened on an incredible day at Loftus Versfeld.
It was a Test match for the ages, at least for the drama it served up.
As Pretoria was plunged into darkness, it was the fans wearing green and gold who eventually went home happy after a last-gasp Springboks win following a day which had started hours before with the breakfast braais lining the streets.
Many questions remain swirling around, though.
How were Wales leading 18-3 at half-time? How did they end up squandering that lead and a 24-15 advantage to let South Africa sneak victory? Did their discipline warrant four yellow cards, with Wales at one stage being reduced to 12 men?
Was Dan Biggar’s final knock-on which led to Damian Willemse’s match-winning penalty deliberate? And what might have happened if Biggar had slotted over a late conversion to give Wales the lead?
History of heartbreak
We have been here before. Wales suffering last-gasp heartbreak in South Africa is nothing new and this latest defeat proves history can repeat itself.
Just remember the 31-30 defeat in Nelspruit in 2014 for Warren Gatland’s side after they had led for all of that game.
The similarities are striking.
Beaten at home by Italy just three months ago, Wales were written off before they arrived at altitude in Pretoria, yet they went toe-to-toe with world champions South Africa in front of a 50,000 capacity crowd at a ground where they had been humiliated 96-13 in 1998.
Wayne Pivac’s side had ignored the Springboks script and, for large parts of an epic contest, Wales restored pride in the jersey as they looked destined to end 58 years of hurt by claiming a first victory over the Springboks in South Africa at the 11th attempt.
With Will Rowlands charging around the Pretoria arena like a galloping giraffe, Taulupe Faletau proving his world-class status and new cap Tommy Reffell chopping down Springboks and turning over possession, Louis Rees-Zammit’s try double allowed Wales to build up a 15-point half-time lead.
That stunned the Loftus Versfeld crowd into silence after pockets of the stadium had been happy to chatter away during what was supposed to be a minute’s silence in tribute to Phil Bennett.
But you always sensed the Springboks would come back and in the end, Wales were edged out.
Again.
Another heroic defeat. – BBC Sport.
Online Reporter