RUGBY NEWS - It was tense, frustrating at times and ugly, but the Springboks reached a third World Cup final after outlasting a brave if limited Wales to win their semifinal in Yokohama by 19-16.
A vital turnover by replacement flanker Francois Louw with Wales on the attack proved instrumental as his intervention led to the penalty by flyhalf Handre Pollard that settled the outcome.
South Africa had been in control for the first 60 minutes of the match, using their power game to cage the Dragons, even if their kicking game wasn’t up to scratch.
Damian de Allende’s power run had given the Boks a 16-9 lead before the Welsh struck back to level things up again.
However, the Boks superior fitness and composure was telling as they booked next week’s showpiece meeting with England.
Point scorers:
Springboks – Try: Damian de Allende. Conversion: Handre Pollard. Penalties: Pollard (4).
Wales – Try: Josh Adams. Conversion: Leigh Halfpenny. Penalties: Dan Biggar (3).
