South Africa 23
Wales 19
South Africa sealed their semi-final berth after out muscling a dogged and injury ravaged Welsh side in a pulsating game of rugby at Twickenham earlier this evening.
For large parts of this game, it looked like the Southern Hemisphere scalp was on as a Sam Warburton led Wales refused to give in to the relentless Springbok pressure.
The statistics show that South Africa had 61% of the territory, and for the majority of the second half, they camped out in the Welsh half, but that dominance wasn't reflected on the scoreboard as Wales clung on to their one point lead for dear life, until their resistance was finally broken in the 75th after a touch of class from Duane Vermeulen.
With the clock winding down, the Boks were awarded a scrum deep in Welsh territory. The Toloun No. 8 picked off the back and delivered a fabulous offload to send Fourie DuPreez racing over, breaking Welsh hearts.
It was the only time that South Africa had really threatened to score a try throughout the game, as Warburton led his troops admirably in defence. In fact, there was very little flash from either set of backs as this game was dominated by the packs.
It was an incredibly tense affair, with a battle for territory the order of the day, but with a lot of wayward kicking we saw the ball spend a lot of time in the air, dampening the atmosphere in the ground. However, that didn't take away from the game as a contest, with both sides ensuring that every yard was earned.
Wales started brightly, with George North breaking down the left wing but he was tackled a few metres short, from the recycled ball there was an overlap but Gethin Jenkins' pass looped into touch and the chance was dead.
Dan Biggar and Handre Pollard both had fine games from the tee, with the latter kicking to early penalties to push South Africa in front, before Biggar got Wales off the mark.
Pollard added another before Wales hit the front foot. After South Africa cleared their lines from the Welsh restart, Biggar sent up a garryowen which he brilliantly reclaimed and then offloaded for Gareth Davies to race over.
Biggar converted and suddenly the momentum swung in Wales' direction. Pollard responded soon with a penalty to put South Africa back in front, but man of the moment Dan Biggar struck a drop goal to leave the advantage with Wales at the interval.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with referee Wayne Barnes only too happy to blow the whistle for perceived infringements. Wales were the first to benefit as Biggar stretched the lead in the 47th minute with another penalty, before Pollard decided that anything Biggar can do, I can do better as the young Springbok landed a drop goal of his own.
The two out-halves exchanged further penalties to keep one between them entering the final 15 minutes, and the game hung in the balance until DuPreez scooted over. Cue hysteria from Bokke fans and tears from the Welsh.
The result means that South Africa will face either France or New Zealand next week, while Wales have still only beaten the Boks twice in 32 meetings.
Full Match Highlights
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