Australia v England LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Wallabies win despite Darcy Swain red card

England went down 30-28 to Australia in a rollercoaster first game of the three-match series in Perth on Saturday.

The Wallabies’ win snaps an eight-match losing streak against their old rivals despite the loss of lock Darcy Swain to a red card before half-time.

Winger Jordan Petaia, hooker Folau Fainga’a and loose forward Pete Samu scored tries in the last quarter as Australia recorded their first win over England since knocking the co-hosts out of the 2015 World Cup.

Samu’s try took Australia to a 30-14 lead but England debutants Henry Arundell and Jack van Poortvliet scored tries in the dying minutes to make the scoreline more respectable.

The series continues over the next two weeks with tests at Brisbane’s Lang Park and the Sydney Cricket Ground. Follow all the reaction with our live blog:

Australia vs England

• England lose first Test 30-28 to Australia in Perth

• Wallabies score three second-half tries after Darcy Swain’s red card

• Debutants Henry Arundell and Jack van Poortvliet score late consolations

• Three-match series continues in Brisbane next weekend

South Africa 15-21 Wales, 59 minutes

17:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

De Klerk’s clearance isn’t the longest, but Wales get their maul wrong, making the basic error of straying too close to the touchline and all too easily chaperoned over it.

The visitors then close the gap at the lineout, with Kwagga Smith tapping quickly and charging forth into Dewi Lake, who stands him up well. Another error - de Klerk again off target with his box kick, which drifts out on the full.

South Africa 15-21 Wales, 58 minutes

17:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Louis Rees-Zammit chips deep in behind and then forms part of a Welsh blind alley that Willie le Roux rather runs down. Le Roux in the end does well to keep the ball alive long enough for support to arrive, enabling de Klerk to clear.

South Africa 15-21 Wales, 57 minutes

17:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Faf de Klerk looks to play the percentages, twice box kicking. The second one is directly diagonally for the corner, but tumbles on a roll or three too far, and out in touch in goal. All the way back Wales will come for a scrum feed on halfway.

Tomos Williams puts in having relieved Kieran Hardy.

PENALTY! South Africa 15-21 WALES (Dan Biggar penalty, 55 minutes)

17:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And the Welsh lead is doubled to six points by another clean Biggar strike.

South Africa 15-18 Wales, 54 minutes

17:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That might be a foothold that Wales need. Jasper Wiese runs into Alun Wyn Jones and Rhys Carre, a new arrival on the Welsh loosehead, with plenty of support - but all three South African support runners flop off their feet. Dan Biggar points to the posts.

TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 15-18 Wales (Malcolm Marx try, 51 minutes)

17:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another driving maul, and South Africa are over again!

This is the Springboks modus operandi, going to their power game to force their way back into the contest. Again Wales are powerless to quell the drive, Malcolm Marx hitting his jumper, sweeping to the back and riding in the motorcade all the way to the line. The conversion is missed.

South Africa 10-18 Wales, 50 minutes

17:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This isn’t nice for Tomas Francis. He had not long been on the field but appears in real, real strife. The tighthead is helped on to a cart to be taken off, head and neck protected. We wish him well.

South Africa 10-18 Wales, 50 minutes

17:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A brace of back-row changes for South Africa. Siya Kolisi is off, replaced by Kwagga Smith, and there is a debut for Elrigh Louw, a rather promising talent who enjoyed a fine season with the Bulls. Franco Mostert is the other departee.

Francis is still being seen to, with the stretcher out. Alun Wyn Jones is into the action for Wales, who still lead by eight but suddenly feel very much on the back foot.

Here’s Bongi Mbonambi’s maul score.

South Africa 10-18 Wales, 50 minutes

17:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two more penalties against Wales, who are beginning to struggle to contain South Africa’s heavy artillery. Dan Biggar is again spoken to about his team’s discipline.

Tomas Francis appears to be down in some discomfort. It looks like his head collided with the sharp edge of Steven Kitshoff’s knee. After what happened at Twickenham, a worry for Francis, who must surely be removed.

South Africa 10-18 Wales, 49 minutes

17:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And momentum seems to have swung. First Lood de Jager makes a dynamite break up the right from the restart, before an accurate Damian Willemse high bomb lands in the hands of a leaping Dan Biggar, back from his spell in the bin, as South African bodies mob the Welsh captain. Penalty to the Springboks for holding on and another visit to the Wales 22.

TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 10-18 Wales (Bongi Mbonambi try, 46 minutes)

17:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And soon after the South Africa hooker is over! A powerful flexing of the mauling muscles from Bongi Mbonambi and the rest in South African green, Wales initially firm but helpless as the drive pivots away from the initial pressure point and down a pass of limited resistance.

Damian Willemse converts as Mbonambi delivers some instructions to Malcolm Marx, who will replace him at hooker. It looks like the rest of the front row “Bomb Squad” are on, too - welcome to Vincent Koch and Steven Kitshoff.

South Africa 3-18 Wales, 45 minutes

17:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wales remain down to fourteen with still three minutes or so left on Dan Biggar’s yellow card period. They drive the South African maul into touch, but only thanks to a rather obvious side entry.

The Springboks will try again as Bongi Mbonambi lines up his throw...

South Africa 3-18 Wales, 44 minutes

17:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sloppy from Wales. First their lineout is disrupted and then they take an age to clear their lines, Kieran Hardy’s box kick option shut down and quickly coralled. Ryan Elias carries with Dan Lydiate as a latcher, but the blindside fails to keep his feet, as is required under the law changes brought in last year.

South Africa kick to the corner, turning down three.

South Africa 3-18 Wales, 43 minutes

17:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A problem with the officials’ communications system will necessitate a pause, a technician trotting out to make sure that Nika Amashukeli can hear both of his assistants and Joy Neville in the TMO truck.

It is worth noting that Willemse, though a fine age-grade ten, has played little fly-half of late. It is a big gamble to task him with steering South Africa back into this - but Elton Jantjies did not have a first half to be proud of.

South Africa 3-18 Wales, 42 minutes

17:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This time the whistle is in Wales’ favour - Frans Malherbe’s jackal is legal, his two forward colleagues’ failure to roll away not.

But Liam Williams takes Willemse’s lead and misses touch with his punt.

South Africa 3-18 Wales, 41 minutes

17:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That isn’t the best start to Damian Willemse’s time at ten - he misses touch after South Africa are awarded a penalty.

Second half begins!

17:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ah - Willie le Roux is indeed on, and looking through the South African bodies out there, it does appear that it may be Elton Jantjies who has departed.

Back underway.

Second half nears

17:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Where do South Africa look to try and stabilise things? They could do with Handre Pollard, you’d say, to steady things at ten - would there be any temptation to push Damian Willemse forward and introduce Wille le Roux?

Louis Rees-Zammit’s second score

17:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It feels like Wales are yet to truly produce anything in attack, and, oddly, even this second score came from an ill-executed set-piece that appeared to offer good platform. Still, they all count.

H/T: South Africa 3-18 Wales

17:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Well well well. A dream half for Wales, who have taken all that a sloppy South Africa have thrown at them and pounced twice on loose balls to take what looks a significant 15-point lead. Defensively their physicality and organisation has been good, but they have been helped by the Springboks, who have been far below their best and whose game control has been found particularly wanting.

HALF TIME! SOUTH AFRICA 3-18 WALES

17:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa 3-18 Wales, 39 minutes

17:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But that is staunch defence from Wales! South Africa fancy a battle of mauling might, but in Adam Beard and Will Rowlands Wales have two drive detonators, and the locks wrestle their way on to the ball and ensure that a slight inwards steer will be the only movement of the South African eight.

One more secure scrum should see Wales to half-time...

Yellow card! Dan Biggar is sent to the sin bin! South Africa 3-18 Wales, 38 minutes

16:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wales desperately kill the speed of South Africa’s ruck ball twice. South Africa again make a mess of their attack, but Nika Amashukeli brings them back for the first of those penalties...

And sends Dan Biggar to the sin bin! Out comes the yellow for the Welsh captain after cynically lying over the ball following that desperate retreating tackle. Wales down to 14 and South Africa kick to the corner.

South Africa 3-18 Wales, 37 minutes

16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dan Biggar steps out of one tackle as he takes carrying duties after the scrum. But South AFrica attack three rucks in quick succession and at the third win the ball back.

That’s more like it from the Springboks! Damian Willemse gallops up the left touchline and feeds Faf de Klerk, who is just about hauled down from behind by Biggar deep inside the Welsh 22.

South Africa 3-18 Wales, 35 minutes

16:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa are going to need their Bomb Squad. It all looks a little disjointed from the Springboks, with Lood de Jager knocking on as he carries in midfield.

TRY! South Africa 3-18 WALES (Louis Rees-Zammit try, 33 minutes)

16:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another opportunistic score for Louis Rees-Zammit!

How’s your luck, Wales? This is a real curio of a try. Wales throw a long lineout over the top that falls into Elton Jantjies’ arms. The fly-half can’t gather cleanly, though scooping it backwards as he and Nick Tompkins play bumper cars, and then their tangled legs inadvertendly skewing the ball towards the South African line.

Rees-Zammit rushes on to it, collects after a welcome hop and dashes across the line for his second score. Dan Biggar’s conversion makes Wales’ lead all the prettier - and Loftus Versfeld falls silent.

South Africa 3-11 Wales, 31 minutes

16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That is what Tommy Reffell can do! South Africa run the goalline dropout back with Damian Willemse punchy in the carry, but Lood de Janger is turtled soon after, allowing Reffell to scavenge over the top, and rewarded with the penalty.

South Africa 3-11 Wales, 30 minutes

16:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Maul they do, but Wales repel it strongly enough. A different approach, then - Damian de Allende over the gainline and then Eben Etzebeth, too. But South Africa are impatient, choosing not to continue with the close-in biffing and instead attack aerially, with Elton Jantjies dropping the ball on to his left peg and attempting to find Cheslin Kolbe on the right. Josh Adams leaps highest, and Liam Williams grounds in-goal. A slightly curious option from Jantjies.

South Africa 3-11 Wales, 29 minutes

16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa play the lineout quickly and attack with purpose. Elton Jantjies slithers through a gap and offloads to Ox Nche, who is dragged down five metres out. Wales jackal expertly but had earlier been less licit - penalty to South Africa for Taulupe Faletau’s tackle of Faf de Klerk from an offside position.

That all triggers another little scrap, Liam Williams right at the heart of things as he and Damian de Allende square up. Nika Amashukeli has a stern word for both captains to try and prevent further bickering. Elton Jantjies kicks onwards up the touchline, from where South Africa will surely maul.

South Africa 3-11 Wales, 28 minutes

16:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

De Klerk is again in the game as he falls theatrically on to his back after kicking a loose ball behind the Welsh defence and charging right into a big Welsh chest. Not called in his favour, rightly.

Wales get bodies back and clear.

South Africa 3-11 Wales, 26 minutes

16:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa are awarded a scrum free kick, and Kieran Hardy refuses to release the ball, which draws the ire of the Springbok forwards and the ever-spiky Faf de Klerk. Dan Biggar isn’t happy that the South African reaction is proportionate - after a bit of petty squabbling, South Africa will opt for a scrum ten metres further on with Hardy punished.

South Africa 3-11 Wales, 25 minutes

16:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Though Elton Jantjies’ faulty radar is proving rather helpful to the Welsh cause. This time it is a punt for the corner that drifts off line, and by a fine margin the wrong side of the corner flag. All the way back Wales will come with the scrum feed near halfway.

South Africa 3-11 Wales, 24 minutes

16:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Eben Etzebeth runs into both Welsh props, Gareth Thomas and Dillon Lewis meeting the taller man square on, all parties driven up like colliding tectonic plates.

Wales have stood up strongly to the physical challenge, but discipline is becoming a slight issue - another penalty against the visitors.

Missed penalty! South Africa 3-11 Wales, 22 minutes

16:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Not great from Jantjies. His first miss could be termed unfortunate but that’s one he’d have liked to make, particularly displeased as he wanders back into position having missed.

South Africa 3-11 Wales, 21 minutes

16:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Not for the first time, Kieran Hardy gets himself into difficulty inside his own 22, and Wales don’t quite recover from there. Will Rowlands’ cleanout is illegal, referee Nika Amashukeli’s eyes and whistle sharp - and Elton Jantjies again calls for the tee.

PENALTY! South Africa 3-11 WALES (Dan Biggar penalty, 20 minutes)

16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Dan Biggar does indeed restore the eight-point lead from the tee with plenty of boot to spare.

South Africa 3-8 Wales, 18 minutes

16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But South Africa’s narrowing of the gap may be brief as Lood de Jager makes a thumping tackle on a player without the ball...

PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 3-8 Wales (Elton Jantjies penalty, 17 minutes)

16:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A swift run-up, a sweet strike - South Africa up and running.

South Africa 0-8 Wales, 15 minutes

16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, fluids on board and on we go. South Africa make progress after a lineout with Damian De Allende doing some trademark hard-trucking up the centre. Penalty advantage is not used to the Springboks’ benefit - Elton Jantjies will try again from the tee.

South Africa 0-8 Wales

16:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The players take a water break, which offers us a chance to have a look at Louis Rees-Zammit’s early score:

Missed penalty! South Africa 0-8 Wales, 14 minutes

16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Off both posts! Not something you see too often as Jantjies’ kick first strikes the left-hand post, then the right, and back out into play into welcoming Welsh mitts.

South Africa 0-8 Wales, 12 minutes

16:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Round one at the scrum is won by South Africa - initially parity giving way to a slight Springboks nudge, and as it goes to floor it is Ox Nche rewarded for his work against Dillon Lewis.

Elton Jantjies will look to get South Africa’s scoring underway.

South Africa 0-8 Wales, 11 minutes

16:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This time Hardy does get the right amplitude, with Etzebeth again attempting a charge down.

Frans Malherbe topples awkwardly over the top of Taulupe Faletau and Dan Lydiate, who stoop incredibly low to try and stall the big tighthead. He lands on his head, but it is tough to see any fault on the part of the two Welsh back-rowers - a position also taken by the match officials after a brief check.

It will be a South African scrum on the left inside the Welsh half after Liam Williams had fumbled following an Elton Jantjies high bomb.

South Africa 0-8 Wales, 10 minutes

16:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It has been a very good start from Kieran Hardy, but that isn’t his best minute, manhandled by a little and large tag team of Cheslin Kolbe and Jasper Wiese, and then failing to clear Eben Etzebeth’s reach with his box kick. Hardy is lucky that the charge down skews into touch.

DROP GOAL! South Africa 0-8 WALES (Dan Biggar drop goal, 9 minutes)

16:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Is that over? It is! A moment of inspiration from Dan Biggar, forced to check on a pass from Kieran Hardy as Wales play aimlessly just inside the South African half. With options limited, he unfurls a long drop-goal, a little nine iron that collects a favourable breeze and drifts through the thin Loftus air, pitching down just beyond the crossbar.

South Africa 0-5 Wales, 8 minutes

16:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wales thus kick deeper into South African territory but the lineout fails to function, and Wiese is soon doing what he does best, swatting away would-be tacklers as he bristles about.

South Africa 0-5 Wales, 7 minutes

16:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dan Biggar drives a low crossfield kick across to Josh Adams, who collects but can’t force his own kick beyond Cheslin Kolbe and co.

Soon ater, though, Jasper Wiese is picked out for a no-arms tackle - he has cleaned up his discipline significantly and this is not dirty, just a technical error as he tries to chop at the knees of the Welsh carrier.

South Africa 0-5 Wales, 5 minutes

16:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Makazole Mapimpi nearly gets up to win the latest aerial challenge after the restart, but Liam Williams clings on despite a rough landing on the hard Loftus turf. Kieran Hardy has been on the money with his box kicks so far, and again weights his well, enabling Wales to form a strong defensive line and force an errant Faf de Klerk pass that Lukhanyo Am can only carry into touch.

TRY! South Africa 0-5 WALES (Louis Rees-Zammit try, 3 minutes)

16:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

How’s that for a start? Just like that, Wales lead, striking first - and fast.

Will Rowlands disrupts Lood de Jager’s catch at the front of the lineout and the ball pops invitingly for Gareth Thomas at the front of the maul. A quick exchange of passes with Kieran Hardy and Rowlands stomps up the left touchline, cut down by Cheslin Kolbe.

With the South African defence retreating and narrow, Wales spin it to the right, sharp handling from Liam Williams putting Louis Rees-Zammit away with a sprint to line. As ever, there’s no catching him.

The conversion is missed.

South Africa 0-0 Wales, 1 minute

16:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Contrasting starts for the two number eights - Taulupe Faletau oh-so-secure under the kick-off, Jasper Wiese rather less so beneath Kieran Hardy’s box kick.

Damian Willemse also makes a hash of his catch as Hardy again looks to the sky, but only due to a bump from a Welsh player, who is penalised.

KICK OFF!

16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa against Wales has begun!

Officials

16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nika Amashukeli of Georgia is the referee today, with Ireland’s Joy Neville his TMO. After a bit of card drama in this morning’s action, what role might they play?

Elton Jantjies of South Africa will kick the action off...

Anthems

16:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Welsh players stand proudly for “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau”, before Pretoria rises to its feet and joins in a stirring version of the South African national anthem. There are smiles on every fan in the place. They are loving being back after so long.

Remembering Phil Bennett

16:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Before the anthems, Loftus falls silent to remember the life of Phil Bennett. Wales are wearing black armbands this afternoon after the recent passing of one of the greats.

Here come South Africa

16:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And now Siya Kolisi and his Springboks, hearing the uplifting roar of the home crowd. The captain joins in energetic embrace for several of his teammates. Sounds a cracking atmosphere.

Wales emerge

16:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dan Biggar cuts a relaxed fiture as he leads his Welsh squad into and then out of the tunnel. This is a huge test but also a great opportunity for Wales - they are outsiders, but that may give them a freedom of approach which could be a useful refresh.

South Africa vs Wales

15:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It looks a gorgeous evening in Pretoria, though it will get a little chilly later as the sun sets on the Highveld evening. The pitch is a little pockmarked, but it really is lovely to see a South African ground close to full again.

South Africa vs Wales

15:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

You would have South Africa as strong favourites for both today’s game and the series, but Wales have had a habit of producing unexpected performances from low ebbs in recent years. They pushed the Springboks mighty close in November, and while they have never won on the hard tracks of South Africa, you’d be foolish to write them off:

Dan Biggar aware of ‘tough’ challenge facing Wales in South Africa

Jacques Nienaber also offers his pre-match thoughts

15:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“They are a tough side. The first time I coached against Wales was 2011 and since then they’ve beaten more than we’ve won.

“We can’t play on reputation. It is nice to have the crowds back, it is nearly three years since we last did that. Hopefully we can make the crowd proud.

“They will be well coached, and desperate. They are very good at disrupting your set pieces and they have a big backline.”

South Africa back in front of their fans

15:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This will be the first occasion since winning the World Cup that the South African players will have the chance to relish a home crowd. For their leader Siya Kolisi, it will be a particularly affiriming day after all they have achieved since they last played in front of their fans, and he and his teammates are aware of the threat that Wales will pose.

Siya Kolisi predicts physical clash with Wales side that ‘does not give an inch’

Wayne Pivac speaks to Sky Sports pre-match

15:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“They are very important. Every test match is important and in the last one we didn’t perform well. We’ve got used to the conditions.

“We’ve got to be disciplined in our set-piece, stop the juggernaut that South Africa are. We have got to make sure that physically we stand up.”

Team News - Wales

15:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Faces old and new catch the eye in the Welsh side tasked with rebounding from that defeat to Italy. Joining Taulupe Faletau is one of each: Dan Lydiate may be 34 but could suit a tough battle, while Tommy Reffell is rewarded for his strong Leicester form with a start on debut and is particularly proficient over the ball.

Back at 13 is George North, much missed during the Six Nations and adding further quality to what looks a fun backline. Not starting, notably, is Alun Wyn Jones, now deposed as captain and adjusting to a new role with Wayne Pivac keen for another look at Will Rowlands and Adam Beard in starting lock partnership.

Wales: L Williams; Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Adams; Biggar, Hardy; Thomas, Elias, Lewis; Rowlands, Beard; Lydiate, Reffell, Faletau.

Replacements: Lake, Carre, Francis, Jones, Navidi; T Williams, Anscombe, Watkin.

Team News - South Africa

15:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It is a South African side with a familiar look, and Pieter-Steph du Toit the only major injury absentee. Franco Mostert will fulfil his lock-cum-flanker duties, while Jacques Nienaber has looked to the future elsewhere in the back row, moving on from Duane Vermeulen. For now, it is the abrasive Jasper Wiese who earns the starting shirt; the exciting Elrigh Louw awaits a debut on a six-two bench.

There is also a forward-looking approach at full-back, where the versatile Damian Willemse gets the nod ahead of Willie Le Roux. Elton Jantjies is preferred at fly-half to Handre Pollard, who was later arriving into camp after winning the Top 14 with Montpellier. Another potential debutant among the replacements is Salmaan Moerat, who further adds to the Springboks enviable second row depth.

South Africa: Willemse; Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; E Jantjies, De Klerk; Nche, Mbonambi, Malherbe; Etzebeth, De Jager; Kolisi, Mostert, Wiese.

Replacements: Marx, Kitshoff, Koch, Moerat, Louw, Smith; H Jantjies, Le Roux.

South Africa vs Wales

15:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Over to Pretoria, then, and for the first time in a long while the Loftus Versfeld doors are fully open as a capacity contingent of South African supporters are permitted in to watch their world champions. The scale of the challenge facing this wounded Welsh side was already massive – but with the fans out in force, it may take something special for Waye Pivac’s side to stun the Springboks.

South Africa vs Wales

15:24 , Ben Burrows

It is just over 14 months until Wales kick off their World Cup campaign against Fiji in Bordeaux, and a time for selection experimentation is effectively over.

The South Africa series is crucial in terms of World Cup aspirations, and there is no doubt that some players will thrive and others are likely to fall by the wayside.

Pivac has a number of key performers currently sidelined through injury - players such as Tipuric, Ken Owens, Ross Moriarty and Leigh Halfpenny - who will undoubtedly be added to the mix, but three Tests against the Springboks provide an ideal launch-pad towards events in France next year, even if Wales have to endure short-term pain for long-term gain.

South Africa vs Wales

15:13 , Ben Burrows

Wales have been hit hard by injuries during the past 18 months, losing a number of key personnel for long periods, but no-one has arguably been missed more than George North.

The juggernaut back suffered a knee injury in April last year, ruling him out of the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa and Wales’ entire autumn and Six Nations schedules this season.

Switched with considerable success from wing to outside centre, North offers pace, power and a destructive ball-carrying presence that make him a dynamic force at the highest level.

Only Shane Williams has scored more tries for Wales than North, whose return to the Test arena is keenly anticipated.

South Africa vs Wales

15:05 , Ben Burrows

Welsh entertainer Max Boyce wrote a song in the 1970s called The Outside-Half Factory, which reflected Wales’ production line ability to produce world-class number 10s.

In more recent times, that prolific output has veered towards openside flankers and personified through players like Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric.

Now it is the turn of Leicester’s Tommy Reffell, who makes his Test debut just a fortnight after helping the Tigers win their first Gallagher Premiership title for nine years.

The 23-year-old delivered a number of immense performances during Leicester’s dominant domestic season, and an international baptism of fire now awaits, but do not be surprised if he thrives.

South Africa vs Wales

14:55 , Ben Burrows

It has been a long time coming, but South Africa will play in front of a sold-out home crowd for the first time since they were crowned world champions 32 months ago.

The coronavirus pandemic meant last year’s Test series against the British and Irish Lions took place behind closed doors, and demand for Saturday’s clash saw remaining tickets snapped up more than 96 hours before kick-off.

The Springboks’ overall record in Pretoria is better than at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, where they won the 1995 World Cup under Francois Pienaar’s captaincy, which underlines Wales’ acute degree of difficulty.

South Africa vs Wales

14:46 , Ben Burrows

Three games against the Springboks in South Africa, with two of those at altitude, provide a fierce examination for Wales.

They suffered a chastening 22-21 Six Nations home defeat against Italy last time out and have never toppled South Africa on home soil, losing all 10 previous encounters.

Three of those defeats were in Pretoria - by scorelines of 37-21, 53-18 and 96-13 - which underlines how big a task awaits them.

Even though it was eight years ago, Wales can take heart from a one-point loss against the Springboks in Nelspruit on their last visit, with six survivors from that encounter featuring in Pivac’s match-day 23, but South Africa are clear favourites.

South Africa vs Wales

14:45 , Ben Burrows

After two thrilling matches this morning, here’s serving number three of top drawer rugby union from southern hemisphere where Wales face their toughest task of Wayne Pivac’s coaching reign with the first of a three-Test series against world champions South Africa.

Pivac’s team play in Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town, starting on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld, where they will be greeted by a 50,000 capacity crowd.

We will have all of it for you right here.

England beaten by 14-man Australia in first Test

13:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England collapsed to a fourth successive defeat as their magic touch against Australia finally deserted them in a 30-28 loss in the series opener at Optus Stadium.

The Wallabies had second row Darcy Swain sent off for a headbutt in the 34th minute but Eddie Jones’ tourists were still unable to secure a ninth successive victory in the fixture.

It is the second match in a row that they have been unable to finish off 14-man opposition after being routed by the Barbarians at Twickenham in their most recent outing.

England beaten by 14-man Australia in first Test

Eddie Jones is last in front of the Sky Sports microphone

13:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“We had enough moments in the game to win it. At 14-9 with 20 minutes to go we should have put the game away but we didn’t. Now we’ve got to win the series 2-1 and make sure we don’t let them off the hook next time.

“In some ways a red card can work against you. The referee then starts to referee it differently, and we probably didn’t adjust well enough today.

“The message at halftime was to put more pressure on them and we did that in spurts, but a couple of times we were on their line and didn’t finish it off We’ve got to tidy up our ability to finish in attack. Defensively we could have gone after them a bit more.

“[Henry Arundell] is going to be a good player. If he can keep learning and work hard, he’s going to be a special talent for us. There are somepositives to come out of a loss that we are very disappointed in.”

Dave Rennie on his side’s victory

13:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I’m really proud. We lost Quade before the game, we lost Allan and Banksy before half-time, and then the red card. We lost collisions on both sides of the ball so I’m really rapt with the characted and the decision-making in the second half.

“I thought our leaders did a fantastic job problem solving on the run. We know England have got a lot more in them so we will be ready for that next week. We gave away too many penalties, so there is plenty to tidy up for us.”

A big win for Australia

13:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia probably needed a win like that. There were times in that first half where it looked like a day where everything might go wrong, Quade Cooper injured before kick-off, two more starters also forced off early, and then that Darcy Swain sending off. But it speaks volumes about the character that Dave Rennie has instilled in the side that they managed to stay in, and then decisively win the game. Their big players stood up - Michael Hooper, Nic White, Samu Kerevi - and Noah Lolesio grew increasingly into the game after his late call-up to start. The manner in which they attacked an England side on the ropes to extend their advantage showed a real ruthless edge, too - and that Pete Samu score ended up necessary.

Henry Arundell makes an impact

13:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This was rather good on debut from Henry Arundell.

F/T: Australia 30-28 England

13:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s another tough day for England. Eddie Jones’ team are continuing to struggle to put teams away even when dominant for good periods. There was plenty to like about the manner in which their carriers attacked and so often won the gainline, but there was little of true incision that followed it and take the opportunities that should have come.

Those two late scores for Henry Arundell and Jack van Poortvliet rather paper over quite significant cracks. Their attack still looks very disjointed, and they lacked control and direction in the second half.

And some thoughts from Michael Hooper

13:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“With all those things that happened, you can’t plan for that. I’m proud of our coaching staff to come up with a plan and our guys to partially execute that tonight.

“We’ll break down the game, what worked, what didn’t, how we can flip that around in seven days time. We know there will be a different beast coming and we’re expecting to improve as well.””

A disappointed Courtney Lawes speaks to Sky Sports

13:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Very disappointed obviously. We came with a strategy that we didn’t execute, and Australia were the better team, so fair play to them.

“We spoke about discipline and we didn’t execute on that front. That let us down. Our defence wasn’t good enough today, but we played some good rugby. That’s the good thing, we’ve got a chance to right our wrongs [next week].”

F/T! Australia 30-28 England

13:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Well wasn’t that all rather fun. A 6-6 half-time arm-wrestle gave way to a proper back-and-forth ding-dong battle after the interval, with Australia showing heaps of quality and fight to take control of the game. The 14-man Wallabies were deserving winners after a day when all seemed to be going wrong for Dave Rennie’s side, and claim their first win over England since the 2015 World Cup. Eddie Jones’ winning streak against his old employers is over.

FULL TIME! AUSTRALIA 30-28 ENGLAND

13:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

TRY! Australia 30-28 ENGLAND (Jack van Poortvliet try, 83 minutes)

13:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another try on debut - this time it is Jack van Poortvliet. It is all too little, too late for England, who nonetheless finish with a youthful flourish as the young Leicester scrum-half finds space as he snipes from the base of a ruck and makes the final score appear rather more favourable than England deserve.

Owen Farrell’s conversion is the last action.

Australia 30-21 England, 82 minutes

13:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

He’s at it again! Australia have a man in the bin for a deliberate knock-on and Arundell bursts through the Australian defensive line with his trademark shimmy, just about dragged down five out. Another penalty to England, who tap and go...

TRY! Australia 30-21 ENGLAND (Henry Arundell try, 80 minutes)

13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

How about that from Henry Arundell? That is some first touch with ball-in-hand in international rugby from a true potential superstar. There appears little on as he is given the ball on the left, and even less as he directs himself for two Australian shoulders.

But there’s real power in Arundell’s seemingly slighter frame, and he wriggles free from both tacklers, fixing the feet of the last man with a feinted step and producing a moment of individual class. Owen Farrell converts as the clock ticks towards eighty.

TRY! AUSTRALIA 30-14 England (Pete Samu try, 78 minutes)

12:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pete Samu is over, and it will be 1-0 Australia! England are properly slipping and sliding out of this contest, ever in retreat as Australia play not to see it out but for the telling last blow. Samu Kerevi introduces Henry Arundell to international rugby, knocking the youngster back and nearly driving right o’er-the-top of him, and Samu deftly waves the red cape in front of a lunging Lewis Ludlam, avoiding the horns of the English tackler and crossing for the score to certainly seal it.

Noah Lolesio converts.

Australia 23-14 England, 76 minutes

12:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jake Gordon will take on scrum-half duties for the remaining five minutes or so, with Nic White taking a seat after a typically collected performance.

Any last hope for England? Australia are doubtful, Noah Lolesio very nearly putting this one fully to bed as he shuffles and sprints for a half-gap. The fly-half is just about hauled back.

Australia 23-14 England, 74 minutes

12:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

What a scrum from Australia! This is a manhandling, A tiring Will Stuart absolutely munched by Scott Sio with no flanker for support and the ball is already Australia’s when the penalty also goes their way.

Australia 23-14 England, 73 minutes

12:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia try to maul for extra territory at the lineout but it goes down, with no fault on the part of England, according to the referee. Danny Care will feed a scrum 25 metres out on the right.

Henry Arundell is on for an England debut. He travelled as an apprentice, but the incredibly exciting London Irish back-three livewire has forced his way in. Can he produce a moment of magic?

Australia 23-14 England, 72 minutes

12:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England must score quickly, you’d think - and they win the ball back from the restart! Jack Nowell is the beneficiary, entering the Australian 22.

Ollie Chessum has come on, and is launched into the gold Australian wall - but he is dumped on his back and isolated, and they are three Australian bodies there to force him to hold on, both prominently Pete Samu.

TRY! AUSTRALIA 23-14 England (Folau Fainga’a try, 70 minutes)

12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Folau Fainga’a crashes over! England elect not to contest the replacement hooker’s throw, focussing their efforts on halting the maul drive. They do so, but not in a manner to please referee James Doleman - who grants Australia advantage.

England rush to the openside preparing for further defensive efforts, but Fainga’a gets his head up, spies great gaps close to the collapsed maul and carries two English tacklers with him as he crashes over.

Another Noan Lolesio conversion and the lead is nine points.

Australia 16-14 England, 69 minutes

12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia are galvanised. A clever stab in behind is chased by Jordan Petaia, who shunts Freddie Steward into touch by his own corner flag. A huge chance, this.

Yellow card! Billy Vunipola is sent to the sin bin! Australia 16-14 England, 68 minutes

12:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yellow it is. Most of the rest of the game will be played fourteen-aside.

Joe Marler, left out of the England touring squad, disagrees with James Doleman’s conclusion.

TMO check! Australia 16-14 England, 68 minutes

12:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s a double tackle from Vunipola and Will Stuart which Hooper dips into. “It’s passive”, James Doleman says, but he revises that slightly after seeing the collision at full speed.

Hooper’s dip will provide some mitigation, but this probably a card...

Australia 16-14 England, 67 minutes

12:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dave Rennie, face still a picture of focus, pumps his fist - the Australia head coach enjoyed that one. England call for Luke Cowan-Dickie to replace Jamie George.

Michael Hooper knocks on just inside his own half, but Billy Vunipola’s tackle might need a further look. There could well be shoulder-to-head contact.

TRY! AUSTRALIA 16-14 England (Jordan Petaia try, 64 minutes)

12:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And the Wallabies strike! Initially it is the forwards who make telling dents in fringe defence, condensing the English line, and drawing an error - a lazy tackler offside at the next ruck.

That brings penalty advantage, and a chance to use the hands. England are just about numbered up well but struggling to fill the width, and Len Ikitau squares them up before passing, allowing enough room for Jordan Petaia to get outside Freddie Steward and over the top of Danny Care in the corner. A well-take score and reward for Marika Koroibete’s outstanding chase at the restart.

Noah Lolesio converts very, very well, and Optus Stadium lifts with Australia again in the lead.

Australia 9-14 England, 62 minutes

12:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Better from Australia - a well-directed restart is superbly won in the air by Marika Koroibete, beating Jack Nowell in the air and his more dominant take earns a scrum call with the ruck unplayable.

PENALTY! Australia 9-14 ENGLAND (Owen Farrell penalty, 61 minutes)

12:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Owen Farrell adds three more to England’s tally from the tee.

Australia 9-11 England, 59 minutes

12:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But that’s not great game management from Australia. They throw the lineout quickly and punt a long clearance right to an English catcher, and Freddie Steward replies with a more contestable kick.

Noah Lolesio can’t handle the high hoist, and Australia are then penalised at the ruck.

Australia 9-11 England, 58 minutes

12:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England are beginning to assert themselves on the contest and are still winning a majority of collisions, but Australia are clinging on gamely. Mako Vunipola replaces Ellis Genge as England launch their latest attack from on halfway, one that ends with Maro Itoje failing to grasp a lasered wide pass from Marcus Smith.

Australia 9-11 England, 56 minutes

12:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A vital intervention from Michael Hooper! England move ever nearer to the Australian line and are only a metre or so from it as a carrier gets a little isolated. Hooper is remarkably quick to the carrion, picking at the bits at the ruck and earning a crucial holding on penalty.

Australia 9-11 England, 55 minutes

12:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

From inside the Australia 22, England play, Jack Nowell attacking the space inside his ex-Exeter colleague Nic White. Ellis Genge carries firmly, and Billy Vunipola has a hint of space on the right.

He’s handled by Cadeyrn Neville, but Australia can only smother the ball into touch. England will go again from five out.

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