Wales 27 South Africa 13: Justin Tipuric’s solo brilliance banishes the dismal Boks
Flanker had a rapid burst of pace to seal it late on as Rob Howley's side put some gloss on Autumn Internationals
JUSTIN TIPURIC finally showed what Wales are capable of with a fantastic solo try to banish the dismal Boks.
Ken Owens got the other touchdown as the Dragons put some polish on an otherwise dull Autumn Internationals.
Brian Moore said this was the worst South African team he has ever seen and it was hard to disagree.
Despite that, Uzair Cassiem's late try would have had interim boss Rob Howley biting his nails.
But Wales hung on to make it three wins out of four in this Test series and just their third win over South Africa.
Owens showed cunning with his break from the back of a driving maul and Leigh Halfpenny's accuracy with the boot were plus points.
But Dan Lydiate had to be stretchered off after twisting his knee at the end of the first half.
Hooker Owens barged over in the 46th minute for just his third try in a Wales shirt.
The Boks went ahead early through an Elton Jantjies penalty but Halfpenny levelled matters.
Another one followed in the 18th minute for 6-3 to the hosts and South Africa were penalised defensively again for Halfpenny to make it 9-3.
This was a kicking contest, make no mistake about it.
Jantjies got another for 9-6 before Halfpenny made it four from four and 12-6 after 33 minutes.
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But this was far from pretty and made it hard to buy the Boks' message of "#LoveRugby" on the back of their shirts.
It was hard to watch and Jonathan Davies had the only clean break of the first half, eventually being bundled into touch.
Dan Lydiate was taken off on a cart after twisting his knee with no other player near him and Toby Faletau came on in his place.
Halfpenny kept up his 100 per cent record with another penalty for 15-6 in the 43rd minute and Faf de Klerk was sin-binned.
That man advantage paid when Ken Owens broke from the back of a driving maul in the 46th minute.
Halfpenny sliced his kick but ta 20-6 there looked no way for the disjointed Boks.
That was until Cassiem went over and Lambie converted to make it 20-13 with ten minutes to go.
But Tipuric sealed the deal witha burst of pace and cheeky sidestep which Halfpenny converted.