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Wales and South Africa meet in Cardiff this afternoon for the latest warm-up match with the Rugby World Cup drawing ever nearer.
It is now just a few weeks before the two sides begin their tournament efforts, with this encounter coming at a crucial point in their preparations, and it should prove to be a useful test for both sides.
For those in Welsh red, this last warm-up contest is a final opportunity to press their case for selection with Warren Gatland set to name his final World Cup squad of 33 on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Springboks have already confirmed their selection for the tournament in France, but a close to full-strength side chosen by Jacques Nienaber will want to lay down a marker and inspirational captain Siya Kolisi makes a welcome return from a long-term injury.
Follow the action from Cardiff with our blog below and you can find the latest rugby tips and betting offers here
TRY! Wales 9-19 South Africa (Penalty try, 34 mins)
A Kolisi bash takes South Africa within five metres and a clever kick nearly finds Moodie on the right touchline with the try-line at his mercy. But it’s great covering defence by Rio Dyer to get his hand in there and stop the Boks winger collecting.
Or is it? TMO review and the question is whether Dyer deliberately knocks the ball on into touch – in which case it’s a penalty try… Standby
Does the ball brush off Moodie’s arm first of all? That’s all that can save Dyer here. Nothing clear to suggest that, so it’s deliberately knocked into touch and it’s a PENALTY TRY to South Africa as they judge Moodie would have otherwise collected and scored. Plus 10 minutes in the sin-bin for Rio Dyer.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 15:55
Wales 9-12 South Africa, 33 mins
The Welsh scrum is under serious pressure once more and it’s another Boks penalty. It’s men against boys in the front row at the minute.
Hardy wasn’t sure if he could get the ball in with the scrum still moving and Assiratti loses his bind on Kitshoff’s shirt. A good platform for South Africa to build with a lineout on the 22.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 15:52
Wales 9-12 South Africa, 30 mins
Quick tap from South Africa and they quickly rush into the Welsh 22 with a barrelling Steven Kitshoff run.
But one offload attempt too many as Kieran Hardy wraps in the tackle and the ball hits the ground. Great clearance kick towards halfway
Luke Baker19 August 2023 15:49
Wales 9-12 South Africa, 27 mins
A bit of broken-field play for Wales. Lovely long pass from Johnny Williams out to the debutant Cai Evans and he charges into the Springboks half.
But great scramble defence, Marx does his best impression of a back-rower to jackal at the breakdown and win the turnover. What an advantage it is to have someone like him at hooker.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 15:46
PENALTY! Wales 9-12 South Africa (Sam Costelow, 25 mins)
Once again, Wales hit straight back. Sam Costelow does the business from the kicking tee to narrow the deficit after the Springboks are pinged almost straight from kick-off.
Costelow’s kicking is keeping Wales in touch at the moment.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 15:45
TRY! Wales 6-12 South Africa (Canan Moodie, 23 mins)
Gorgeous rugby by South Africa! Finished off by Canan Moodie.
It all starts with RG Snyman spotting a gap from a breakdown on halfway, picking up and sniping through the middle. Lovely offload to Jaden Hendrikse, who then does likewise to Marx.
The Welsh defence are scrambling to get back and Libbok shows his class with a stunning miss pass out wide to Moodie who steps inside and goes over. Superb!
Libbok then nails the conversion for good measure.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 15:41
PENALTY! Wales 6-5 South Africa (Sam Costelow, 20 mins)
This is more like it from Wales – they win a couple of penalties, the second of which when Jesse Kriel gets caught on the wrong side at the breakdown, obstructing Jac Morgan’s cleanout.
It’s another kicking chance and Sam Costelow makes no mistake from the tee! Good kick from the young 10 and the hosts edge ahead
Luke Baker19 August 2023 15:39
MISSED PENALTY! Wales 3-5 South Africa (Manie Libbok, 18 mins)
The Boks opt to go for the posts from that penalty. A few metres inside the Welsh half, fairly central. But Manie Libbok misses wide to the right. He’s 0-2 from kicks now.
He struggled against Argentina from the tee a couple of weeks ago as well. It’s a definite weakness in his game, given how good he is in open play.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 15:37
Wales 3-5 South Africa, 17 mins
Have just seen a replay of that Kolbe run. Beating players in a phone box – his footwork is out of this world. The game is in Cardiff but the atmosphere in the stadium was palpably charged when he got the ball. He’s box-office! Most exciting player to watch in world rugby?
A scrum penalty won by the Springboks against the head. Their front row splinters the inexperienced Welsh trio once again, forcing them up early.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 15:36
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