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Rugby Union

Wales put up brave fight before losing to Springboks

14/06/2008

Wales led three times before going down to a 37-21 defeat to world champions South Africa in Pretoria.

Gareth Cooper and Shane Williams touched down for the Dragons while Stephen Jones kicked three penalties.

Ricky Januarie, Jannie du Plessis, and a brace from Jean De Villiers gave the home side victory, on a day when the southern hemisphere reigned supreme with earlier New Zealand beating England and Australia defeating Ireland.

In an explosive 20 minutes, the Six Nations champions took an early lead when Jones slotted over a penalty on three minutes.

South Africa went ahead nine minutes later when Luke Watson offloaded to de Villiers who crashed over.

The Springboks went 14-3 ahead soon after Juan Smith broke through out wide and sent Januarie over.

Wales hit straight back with a try of their own when scrum-half Gareth Cooper produced a fine solo run to touch down.

The Dragons finished the half brilliantly and led 15-14 on 34 minutes when Shane Williams danced past five players to dive over in the corner, with Jones converting.

Butch James booted over a penalty to edge the Springboks ahead, with Jones spurning the chance to give Wales the lead into half-time when he sent a long-range penalty wide.

The second half was a ding-dong battle with Jones cancelling James' penalty to keep the Welsh three points behind.

With 19 minutes left, Jones kicked over his third penalty to put the tourists 21-20 ahead.

But the world champions went in front again two minutes later through James' third penalty. And the world champions sealed victory on 66 minutes when De Villiers crossed the line from close range.

In stoppage time, the hosts' cavalier approach in the closing stages paid off when Du Plessis scored, with James making no mistake with the penalty.