Springboks win nail-biter to set up World Cup final with England

YOKOHAMA – South Africa edge a win in a semi-final featuring kick-and-chase rugby.

While Wales had won their previous four test matches against the Springboks, they had not beaten South Africa in the two previous World Cup encounters.

Sadly it was not meant to be for the Welsh as they lost to South Africa 19–16 in dramatic fashion in this World Cup semi-final in Yokohama, Japan, on 27 October.

Three penalties to two left it 9–6 to South Africa at the break. The 40 minutes saw largely kicking-and-chasing rugby, with few metres gained by the runs.

A try apiece in the second half gave the teams the impetus needed to play their running gameplays. But it was a penalty four minutes from time that gave Handre Pollard the opportunity to put the Springboks ahead and the game to bed.

Wales captain, Alun Wyn Jones can be proud of the defensive effort they produced whenever the Springboks were in their 22.

The third/fourth-place playoff will be on 1 November and the final the day after.

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