Boks bounce back as passion, grit floor Wales in series decider at thumping CT Stadium

At the Cape Town Stadium

The Springboks threw themselves around Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night, putting bodies on the line and playing with raw passion at times as they manufactured a series-clinching 30-14 win over Wales. 

The result means the Boks win the three-match series 2-1. 

It was comfortable enough in the end for the hosts, but Wales would not throw in the towel and kept fighting until the very end.

For the Boks, who lost Cheslin Kolbe to an apparent cheekbone injury in the first half, this was a win they desperately needed following the 13-12 defeat they suffered in Bloemfontein two weekends ago. 

There is certainly still work to be done, and there were moments of defensive lapses and some questionable decision-making with ball in hand, but the Springboks relied on true grit on this warm Cape Town night in front of an electric crowd. 

Nobody typified that courage more than Damian Willemse, who started the match at fullback but shifted to inside centre before sustaining a nasty ankle injury.

With backline options on the bench limited, Willemse played on despite the pain, delivering a classy performance with his aerial contesting a standout. 

AS IT HAPPENED | Springboks 30-14 Wales

The Boks scored three tries through Handre Pollard, Bongi Mbonambi and skipper Siya Kolisi, while Wales scored just one. 

There had been concern in the week that tickets at Cape Town Stadium hadn't sold out, but none of that mattered as kick-off approached. 

The crowd, filling this iconic venue from top to bottom - 51 347 was the official attendance - for the first time since Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, roared from start to finish. 

That is generally the case when the Springboks are in town, but there was something special in