Wales Player Ratings v South Africa

Wales were on course for a famous Test victory over South Africa only to be denied late on by a Damian Willemse penalty.

Dewi Lake scored with just 13 players on the pitch but Dan Biggar marginally missed conversion when he could have secured a late lead.

In the end, it was the Springboks who came out on top despite Wales leading 3-18 at halftime.

Here is how we rated Wales in defeat.

1. Gareth Thomas - 7

Put in a tidy shift against the Bok powerhouse Frans Malherbe. 

Solid defensive work making nine tackles and carried well too. 

2. Ryan Elias - 6.5

Nothing flashy from Elias but got the job done in all departments. 

3. Dillon Lewis - 7.5

Lewis went the distance playing virtually the entire game after Tomas Francis' injury. 

Gave away the old scrum penalty but manage to hold his own in most of them.

4. Will Rowlands - 7.5

Top tackler in the match making 16 in total.

He also gained 43 running metres from his six carries and was a solid lineout option. 

5. Adam Beard - 7

Beard played a big role in nullifying the Springboks' maul, particularly in the first half. 

He was replaced by Alun Wyn Jones soon after the second half after a really tidy shift.

6. Dan Lydiate - 7

A powerful shift from the veteran back rower. Trademark in many ways as he had a big impact on defence and at the breakdown.

7. Tommy Reffell - 8.5

Reffell made his test debut at Pretoria, against an abrasive Springbok pack and didn't look out of place for a second.

Thundered into tackles making 15 in total, came up with one jackal turnover and was a constant threat to the Boks' breakdown as their attack stuttered.

8. Taulupe Faletau - 6

Carried with real intent gaining 37 running metres while he also weighed in with 11 tackles. 

Sound performance, always produces those.

9. Kieran Hardy - 7

His box kicking was on point in the first half to put the Springboks under pressure and enjoyed an all-round strong game.

10. Dan Biggar - 7 

A try-saving tackle earned Biggar a trip to the sin bin as he was penalised at the resulting breakdown. That period proved to be costly for his side as too was his missed conversion for Dewi Lake's score.

It was an unfortunate end to the match for Biggar who led his side's charge to a 3-18 lead at halftime.

He was excellent in the air, kicked well and distributed nicely.

11. Josh Adams - 5

The action seemed to take place more on the opposite wing as Adams made just one carry all match.

He defended well and chased the high balls contesting well in the air.

12. Nick Tompkins - 6

Landed some nice hits on defence, one of which directly resulted in Louis Rees-Zammit's second try.

Otherwise, Tompkins had a quietly solid game.

13. George North - 6.5

A strong return to test rugby for the Welsh centurion.

Defended well in tandem with Tompkins but didn't have too many opportunities to show off his attacking prowress.

14. Louis Rees-Zammit - 8

Two opportunities to score early on, two tries scored.

He made 77 running metres as Wales' most dangerous weapon on attack.

Ended the match in the sin bin which proved costly. 

15. Liam Williams - 5.5

Williams had few opportunities to impress on attack but was excellent under the high ball as the Springbok gave the ball air in his direction.

Reserves

Dewi Lake - 7
Rhys Carre - 4
Tomas Francis - n/a
Alun Wyn Jones - 6
Josh Navidi - 5 
Tomos Williams - 6
Gareth Anscombe - n/a
Owen Watkin - 5