The Springboks beat Wales 17-16 in their opening match of their Rugby World Cup title defence in Wellington on Sunday.
Tries from Frans Steyn and Francois Hougaard coupled with two conversions and a penalty from Morne Steyn was enough to beat Wales’ converted try by Toby Faletau and 11 points from the boot of James Hook.
The Boks won’t be happy with the performance but will be relieved they managed victory over a determined Welsh side.
The Springboks did show flashes of brilliance throughout the game, especially during the opening 10 minutes when Steyn crashed over in the second minute.
Wales however showed the Boks will have to work on their concentration and discipline within their own half as a number of penalties were given away.
Accurate kicking from the penalty spot by Welsh fullback Hook will be a warning to the Boks ahead of possible match-ups against the sterner opposition of Australia, New Zealand or England.
The Boks did go into the break with a 10-6 advantage but looked weary at the beginning of the second half, which led to the Faletau try in the 53rd minute.
South Africa trailed 16-10 for 12 minutes before substitute Hougaard weaselled his way through the Welsh defence and dotted down between the posts in the 65th minute.
It was a nervous final 15 minutes, as Welsh flyhalf Rhys Priestland fluffed a drop goal and Hook missed a penalty as full time approached.
John Smit’s role in the side must also be called into question as the Bokke lost possession at key moments in the match.
With the addition of Bismarck du Plessis in Smit’s place on the stroke of an hour, the team received added impetus on attack.
Coach Peter De Villiers will have to pinpoint exactly where the Boks can improve on this hard fought opening win before their next encounter against Fiji next Saturday.
Hopefully there will be no serious injury concerns for Jean De Villiers and Victor Matfield, who were replaced with unconfirmed ailments in the 24th and 44th minutes respectively.
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