By Lucky Vince Pienaar
➤ First half
Hendrikse gets his first test as flyhalf and kicker after two minutes. From right in front, he misses the kick.
But then, after only three minutes, Jesse Kriel goes in for the easiest of tries. Hendrikse adds two points from an easy conversion. (Wales 0-7 Boks)
Depending on who you support, this could become ugly.
Franco Mostert concedes an penalty and Wales flyhalf Sam Costelow puts Wales on the scoreboard. (Wales 3-7 Boks)
On 10 minutes the Boks and as expected immediately get the scrum penalty. It could be a very long afternoon for the Welsh front row.
A dash for the line by Evan Roos results in the ball being held up and a yellow card for Wales’ Rio Dyer. Another two penalties, and then the penalty try and Aaron Wainright joins Dyer in the bin. (Wales 3-14 Boks)
Sloppy play all round results in a penalty for Wales. Sensibly, Costelow goes for posts – and puts it wide.
Faf de Klerk trying to run the ball from his own tryline smacks of arrogance. Have the Boks gone into cruise mode? Understandable but less than professional.
When Hendrikse floats a pass straight into the hands of the Welsh backline that’s downright unprofessional. He needs to settle down – and the rest of the team need to up their game – and right now.
Fassi goes up for the ball but puts a foot to face of Taine Plumtree. It sounds worse than it is but referee Chris Busby decides it’s a yellow.
A minute later Wales hooker Dewi Lake goes through the Bok forwards including Malcolm Marx and Faf de Klerk and scores in the corner. We were hoping for great Bok rugby, weren’t we? Sorry, not so far. (Wales 10-14 Boks).
It’s a one point game when Costelow scores a penalty after more sloppy play by the Boks. (Wales 13-14 Boks)
Up in the coaches box, Rassie Erasmus looks perplexed, probably wondering how many f**ks he can get in at halftime.
➤ Second half
Just like the foot to the face, a bad decision by referee Busby allows a clear forward pass and Makazole Mapimpi scores in the corner. Hey! We’ll take it. (Wales 13-21)
Bongi Mbonambi on, Malcolm Marx off. Understandably, a quiet return to the field after his long lay-off.
Hendrikse makes a tough penalty look easy and the Boks have a more comfortable lead. (Wales 13-24 Boks)
For a fourth time Aphelele Fassi captures the high ball. He’ll be happy with his performance and so will Rassie.
Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu comes on with 20 minutes to go, replacing Jason Hendrikse at flyhalf. The stage is set for him to justify his selection. His penalty conversion from the other side of halfway, does his chances a power of good. (Wales 13-27 Boks)
Get ready for the TMO to play a massive part in this international season. Remember to keep your phone handy. You can catch up on your emails while the ref looks at the same clip again, and again, and then just one more time.
Bongi goes over for a lovely forward try and Sasha puts the smile back on Rassie’s face with a confident conversion. (Wales 13-34 Boks)
What a try! On debut! Edwill van der Merwe jinks through the middle of the Wales team and scores under the posts. (Wales 13-41 Boks)
A great Bok performance? Nope. But Mngomezulu, Grant Williams, Aphelele Fassi and, man of the match Edwill van der Merwe will sleep well tonight.
Wales 13-41 South Africa
Wales tries: Dewi Lake
Springboks tries: Jesse Kriel, (penalty try), Makazole Mapimpi, Bongi Mbonambi, Edwill Van Der Merwe
Pictured above: Dream debut for Edwill van der Merwe
Image source: X
