Wales beat South Africa 27-13 in autumn Test at Principality Stadium
Last Updated: 26/11/16 8:14pm
Wales posted only a third victory over South Africa in 110 years, as they ended their autumn Test series with a 27-13 triumph at the Principality Stadium.
Full-back Leigh Halfpenny kicked 17 points, while hooker Ken Owens and flanker Justin Tipuric crossed for second-half tries against the Springboks.
The win meant they ended the November schedule with three wins from four starts.
Springboks fly-half Elton Jantjies booted a penalty double, while Pat Lambie converted flanker Uzair Cassiem's late try on his Test debut.
But South Africa were left reeling from an eighth Test defeat in 2016 under beleaguered head coach Allister Coetzee.
Seven days after being beaten by Italy in Florence, the Springboks came up short again.
South Africa, however, made all the initial running, dominating early territory through the attacking work of centres Francois Venter and debutant Rohan Janse van Rensburg, and they deservedly went ahead when Jantjies struck a seventh-minute penalty.
Wales were slow out of the blocks but drew level five minutes later when Halfpenny found his range from two metres inside South Africa's half. He then maintained his 100% record through two further strikes in three minutes.
South Africa were their own worst enemies at times, transgressing in open play, and French referee Romain Poite did not require a second invitation to punish them.
Jantjies reduced the margin with a penalty, but Halfpenny made it four kicks from four attempts eight minutes later, which took Wales 12-6 clear.
There was little to enthuse the crowd in terms of attacking rugby, and perhaps the biggest cheer was reserved for half-time when it was announced that 61 times-capped Taulupe Faletau had come on for his first autumn appearance after recovering from a serious knee injury.
Halfpenny was the one constant in Wales' performance, and another penalty made it 15-6.
Scarlets forward Owens then powered over from close range, which left the tourists with a 14-point gap to overcome.
Cassiem went over on 69 but, two minutes from time, Tipuric finished off in style, with Halfpenny converting.
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