Wales’ improved discipline in defence in their own 22 was key to their first ever away test win over South Africa, coach Wayne Pivac said after their 13-12 victory at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.
Wales got four yellow cards and conceded a penalty try in the 32-29 first test loss a week ago but were more disciplined against a much-changed Boks side that spent most of the game in the visitors’ half while lacking accuracy to finish them off.
There was a yellow card for Alun Wyn Jones for the second week running, though he can feel aggrieved having been unlucky to be penalised for hands in the ruck when they were clearly nowhere near the ball.
“It (Jones’ yellow card) was in the same part of the field to last week but the difference was we were more disciplined. We hung in there,” Pivac said.
“It allowed us to stay in the game. We’re disappointed we are not 2-0 up. Next week will be a huge challenge, it will make for a good series. It’s a big week for us now.”
The visitors claimed the victory as wing Josh Adams crossed for a try in the corner with two minutes remaining and replacement flyhalf Gareth Anscombe landed a pressure conversion from the touchline.
Pivac may have a decision to make as to who will start at flyhalf in the series decider in Cape Town next Saturday after captain Dan Biggar left the field injured and will have to be assessed. It allowed Anscombe to have his historic moment.
“He (Anscombe) is a quality kicker, I have confidence in him,” Pivac said. “He missed one but got the one that mattered. We felt we’d done enough to win it, but it wasn’t easy by any stretch.”
