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France vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Les Bleus snatch thrilling win from remarkable Test

France vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Les Bleus snatch thrilling win from remarkable Test

France extended their impressive winning run to 12 games as they tamed South Africa 30-26 at the Stade Velodrome after a nail-biting contest.

Les Bleus had scrum-half Antoine Dupont sent off in the second half after the world champions were also reduced to 14 men following Pieter-Steph du Toit’s early exclusion.

But a strong finish, with a late try by forward Sipili Falatea and a last-gasp penalty by Thomas Ramos, earned Fabien Galthie’s side another win a week after they edged out Australia 30-29 in Paris.

South Africa were always close thanks to penalties by Cheslin Kolbe, as well as tries from Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse, but France were just a cut above, less than a year before they host the World Cup.

Relive all the action from France vs South Africa with our live blog below:

France vs South Africa updates

  • FULL-TIME! France 30-26 South Africa

  • 74’ - TRY! Falatea at the bottom of the pile for the try (FRA 27-26 RSA)

  • 50’ - TRY! Arendse over in the corner (FRA 19-20 RSA)

  • 47’ - RED CARD! Dupont sent off for taking out Kolbe in the air (FRA 19-13 RSA)

  • 30’ - TRY! Kolisi sneaks over from the back of a maul (FRA 13-10 RSA)

  • 20’ - TRY! Baille powers over from Dupont’s pass (FRA 13-0 RSA)

  • 11’ - RED CARD! Du Toit sent off for a head to head hit on Danty (FRA 3-0 RSA)

France 30-26 South Africa

22:29 , Luke Baker

What a Test match we were treated to and it was France who came out on top in the end.

 (AP)
(AP)

Siya Kolisi discusses South Africa’s defeat

22:19 , Luke Baker

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has chatted to Prime Video about his side’s narrow defeat.

“It's tough,” he said. “The boys played well at times, we made a couple of msitakes and they capitalised. It was an amazing crowd and the French team played really well.

“We plan for it [having a man sent off]. Anything can happen. We gave it our all and we’re not going to make excuses, no matter what. That's what we did.

“It could have gone either way. They played well, well done to them. You go to your preparation when everything gets tough. We'll learn from this. We would have loved to win but they came out on top.”

Gregory Alldritt reflects on victory

22:00 , Luke Baker

Gregory Alldritt talked to Prime Video straight after that unbelievable win.

“We knew it would be a really difficult game,” he said. “The Springboks are one of the most physical teams in world rugby and they proved it today. We had lots of injuries, Antoine’s red card.

“It was a big win and thanks to the amazing crowd tonight

“Our gameplan is not based on one guy, it’s based on the team. So after Antoine was sent off, we keep going, we don't stop playing, just need to find some solutions

“Both teams did a great match. We were at home, and the incredible crowd made a difference. A phenomenal crowd.”

France 30-26 South Africa

21:58 , Luke Baker

Here’s the moment France won a remarkable Test match

 (AP)
(AP)
 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

WATCH: Falatea over for key try

21:52 , Luke Baker

Here was the crucial try from France. They managed to milk their lead successfully after this. Incredible stuff.

FULL-TIME! France 30-26 South Africa

21:48 , Luke Baker

What a Test match! Somehow France come out on top. Stade Velodrome rocking, French winning streak extended as both teams have a man sent off. Unbelievable!

France 30-26 South Africa, 80 mins

21:47 , Luke Baker

THEY’VE DONE IT! France kick the ball dead and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. 12 wins in a row!

France 30-26 South Africa, 79 mins

21:47 , Luke Baker

South Africa claim the kick-off and are in France territory. But Moefana pilfer the ball - what a turnover. 25 seconds left for France to hold on.

PEN! FRANCE 30-26 South Africa (Ramos, 78 mins)

21:46 , Luke Baker

Ramos eats up every second he can and thumps the penalty through! A four-point lead and 90 seconds left

France 27-26 South Africa, 77 mins

21:45 , Luke Baker

And France win the scrum penalty! Celebrations, huge moment from the French pack. Big old Chalureau helping there after coming off the bench.

Ramos to go for the posts

France 27-26 South Africa, 76 mins

21:44 , Luke Baker

Woki off for France and Bastien Chalureau is on for his debut. Erm... This is some time for your debut!

France 27-26 South Africa, 76 mins

21:43 , Luke Baker

Taofifenua catches the kick-off and France can kick clear. South Africa pinged for a forward pass as they run it back. A big error and France can milk time with this scrum

TRY! France 27-26 South Africa (Falatea, 74 mins)

21:38 , Luke Baker

Great move off the lineout. Moefana on the wraparound with Lucu and they take it within a couple of inches. And they’re over!

It’s replacement prop Sipili Falatea at the bottom of the pile. Wayne Barnes checks the grounding but loses comms with the TMO! More drama. The try is good though. Ramos misses the extras. could that be crucial?

France 22-26 South Africa, 73 mins

21:37 , Luke Baker

BANG! The physicality still here as winger/flanker/all-round weapon Macalou thunders down the left flank and delivers a hit. The noise rises as France are in the Boks 22.

Pinged again and it’s a France penalty, kicked to the corner.

France 22-26 South Africa, 72 mins

21:36 , Luke Baker

Not the time for the lineout to fail! France overthrow and South Africa jump on the loose ball. You would have fancied them to maul it over had they taken it. Boks kick clear to just outside the 22.

SA sub as Marvin Orie on for captian Siya Kolisi.

SIN-BIN! France 22-26 South Africa (Fourie, 70 mins)

21:35 , Luke Baker

WHAT A DRIVING MAUL! France march all the way within a couple of metres, Boks bring it down illegally. A freebie for France as they go for the cross-field kick but Arendse defends it against Penaud.

We come back for the penalty and Deon Fourie gets shown the yellow card. Next 10 minutes will be with 13 men for the Boks. France kick to the corner...

France 22-26 South Africa, 69 mins

21:33 , Luke Baker

A kicking duel at the moment as both sides try to make the all-important territorial gain. Springboks pinged at the breakdown after Ramos claims the ball in the air.

They kick the penalty into South African territory. Chance with a lineout in the 22 for Les Bleus

France 22-26 South Africa, 66 mins

21:30 , Luke Baker

Into the final 15 minutes and this game is up for grabs. An absolute belter in Marseille.

PEN! France 22-26 South Africa (Willemse, 64 mins)

21:29 , Luke Baker

South Africa have been mixing up their kickers today and fly-half Damian Willemse now gets the nod for his first one of the day with Kolbe off the pitch.

He nails the kick and the lead is back to four

France 22-23 South Africa, 63 mins

21:27 , Luke Baker

Lucu with not a great clearance kick gives the Boks good field position. Grinding through the phases as Etzebeth and co steadily make ground.

They then go wide to the right, Arendse is the man there and Lucu holds a foot before Macalou comes in to help get him into touch a couple of metres out. Good defence.

France then surge clear down the blindside with Macalou. He gets pinged for getting up and going again after being initially tackled. The crowd are livid when the replays show he wasn’t held, and Wayne Barnes has got that one wrong. Still, it’s a kickable penalty for the Boks.

PEN! France 22-23 South Africa (Ramos, 59 mins)

21:25 , Luke Baker

Easy enough for Ramos from the tee and we’re back to one point in it.

A slew of subs there as Cobus Reinach is on for Faf de Klerk at scrum-half, while Deon Fourie comes on in the back row for Kwagga Smith.

Peato Mauvaka also on for France

France 19-23 South Africa, 57 mins

21:23 , Luke Baker

And France do respond! They’re into the South Africa 22 and the crowd are back into it. Willemse make a mess of the kick and that allows Ntamack to spin out of a tackle and make ground.

Offloads from Moefana and Lucu sees Ollivon cut in from the wing and make more yards. They win a penalty and will go for the sticks.

PEN! France 19-23 SOUTH AFRICA (De Klerk, 55 mins)

21:21 , Luke Baker

The Boks are rolling now. De Klerk bangs the penalty through the sticks and lead by four.

France’s winning run is in severe danger and they need to respond.

France 19-20 South Africa, 54 mins

21:20 , Luke Baker

The tide has completely turned here! Dominant tackles by Kolisi and then Etzebeth enables Smith to get into the breakdown and win the turnover.

Then it’s surprisingly great hands by the bomb squad! Koch and Kitshoff with the delicate hands. Boks into the French half. And they win a penalty

France 19-20 South Africa, 53 mins

21:18 , Luke Baker

Maxime Lucu comes off the bench for France to ensure they have a scrum-half once more. How will they respond to going behind for the first time?

TRY! France 19-20 South Africa (Arendse, 50 mins)

21:17 , Luke Baker

And South Africa do score! They spread the ball wide to the right, a flat pass to Kurt-Lee Arendse who gets outside Anthony Jeloncha nd dives over for the try. Nice finish by the winger.

And De Klerk adds the tricky conversion. Straight through the middle and South Africa lead...

France 19-13 South Africa, 49 mins

21:15 , Luke Baker

South Africa win a couple of penalties and they’re in the France 22. Set up for the lineout.

The bomb squad of the replacement front row also on in the form of Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch. Not a bad group.

RED CARD! France 19-13 South Africa (Dupont, 47 mins)

21:12 , Luke Baker

WOW! It’s now 14 vs 14 as Antoine Dupont gets sent off.

South Africa put up a high ball that Kolbe leaps for, Dupont comes across, isn’t in a position to contest but takes Kolbe out in the air. Kolbe lands heavily on his head and after viewing replays, Dupont is shown a red card.

Huge moment as France lose their captain and it’s now 14 a side.

France 16-13 South Africa, 47 mins

21:10 , Luke Baker

An update on Danty. Apparently he suffered a fractured eye socket when Du Toit got sent off for going head to head on him. Ouch!

De Klerk takes a quick penalty and he bursts into the 22 as France are caught napping.

PEN! FRANCE 19-13 South Africa (Ramos, 46 mins)

21:08 , Luke Baker

40 metres, just in from the left touchline for Ramos but it’s no issue. He bangs it through and picks up the tee barely after it’s left his boot. Confidence and France are six points ahead again.

France 16-13 South Africa, 45 mins

21:06 , Luke Baker

Good pressure from Woki means De Klerk rushes his box kick and it barely makes it out of the 22. Driving maul opportunity for France.

Woki claims it, the mail starts and Les Bleus win the penalty. They’ll go for the posts and try to get those three points backs. It’s quite wide on the left.

PEN! France 16-13 South Africa (Kolbe, 43 mins)

21:05 , Luke Baker

OOF! Kolbe runs straight through Jelonch. The winger has so much power in the way he runs. South Africa win a penalty, Faf points to the posts and Kolbe curls it between the sticks.

Great kicking from the Springbok flyer tonight and he brings his side within three points

KICK-OFF! France 16-10 South Africa, 41 mins

21:02 , Luke Baker

War wounds all over the place on the players. It’s been brutal so far. And the second half starts in a similar manner as Alldritt crashes into Ox Nche. Great tackles from the Springbok. Tone set!

21:00 , Luke Baker

Fair to say it’s been physical in Marseille so far...

WATCH: Kolisi sneaks over

20:58 , Luke Baker

South Africa hit back through skipper Siya Kolisi:

WATCH: Cyril Baille crashes over

20:55 , Luke Baker

Here was France’s first-half try, through Cyril Baille:

HALF-TIME! France 16-10 South Africa

20:48 , Luke Baker

A fascinating half. Pieter-Steph du Toit’s red card has put the Springboks behind the 8-ball and Cyril Baille went over for a try for France soon after.

Siya Kolisi hit back for the Boks but three Thomas Ramos penalties ensure Les Bleus lead.

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

PEN! France 16-10 South Africa (Ramos, 40 mins)

20:46 , Luke Baker

Fairly central, about five metres inside the South Africa half and Ramos lines it up. It’s on line and it has the distance as well. Les Bleus see their lead extended to six points.

France 13-10 South Africa, 39 mins

20:45 , Luke Baker

A great tackle by Arendse means Ramos loses ground but Mostert pinged for not rolling away and France will take a long-range shot at the posts as the last action of the half.

France 13-10 South Africa, 38 mins

20:44 , Luke Baker

De Allende trucks on for a few extra metres before South Africa put up another high ball. France staying strong underneath them so far.

BOSH! De Allende runs from deep and hits Fickou hard but the Frenchman helped by Macalou and they drag him into touch. Les Bleus secure the lineout and have a good platform in Boks territory.

France 13-10 South Africa, 35 mins

20:42 , Luke Baker

South Africa with the platform on halfway and De Klerk bangs a box kick into the high Marseille sky. Well-taken by Macalou though.

France 13-10 South Africa, 33 mins

20:40 , Luke Baker

It’s becoming a war of attrition in Marseille. France lose two more players as Romain Taofifenua replaces Thibaud Flament in the second row and try-scorer Cyrill Baille hobbles off with Reda Wardi on.

Kwagga Smith drops the kick-off, not the first time South Africa have done that and it gives France good position. Dupont squirts through a gap but eventually Les Bleus knock on and the Boks have a scrum in their own 22. They get a penalty and will be ale to flip field position.

WATCH: Baille powers over

20:37 , Luke Baker

Here’s how France scored their first try

TRY! France 13-10 South Africa (Kolisi, 30 mins)

20:36 , Luke Baker

Sipili Falatea on for Uini Atonio in the front row for France.

First job is to defend a lineout and South Africa get the maul rolling. It collapses and amidst the carnage, Siya Kolisi sneaks out the back and slides over for the try! A big moment for the visitors.

Kolbe adds the conversion from in front of the posts and it’s a three-point game!

France 13-3 South Africa, 28 mins

20:33 , Luke Baker

The Springboks cough up possession in their own territory but France can’t take advantage and the visitors win it back.

Into the France half now with some forward carries and Alldritt comes round too quickly, so is pinged for offside. De Klerk boots to touch in the France 22. South Africa starting to settle well.

PEN! France 13-3 SOUTH AFRICA (Kolbe, 25 mins)

20:31 , Luke Baker

South Africa win possession, run a couple of phases and then win the penalty. It’s relatively long range, from the left so Cheslin Kolbe steps up.

He curls it in with his right boot and it splits the uprights. Good kick and the Boks are on the board.

TRY! FRANCE 13-0 South Africa (Baille, 20 mins)

20:26 , Luke Baker

And there’s the try for France!

They run through the phases and when they’re within a couple of metres, Dupont throws a flat pass to Cyril Baille who spots the gap, slides through and barrels over, outstretching his right hand for the score. The body of a prop and hands of a centre.

Ramos adds the simple conversion and France are in control.

France 6-0 South Africa, 19 mins

20:26 , Luke Baker

La Marseillaise reverberating round the Stade Velodrome as the France fans sense their side are on top.

Great hands from France as they spread the ball left, Penaud makes some yards and it goes all the way out to Macalou. He’s into the 22 but tackled.

PEN! France 6-0 South Africa (Ramos, 17 mins)

20:23 , Luke Baker

Lovely kick by Ramos as he splits the posts and France double their lead

France 3-0 South Africa, 16 mins

20:22 , Luke Baker

Oh dear, South Africa lose the lineout and France can clear. Kolbe returns the kick and delivers a big hit to Ollivon but in the next phase, France win the ball back as Ollivon gets over the ball.

They go right and they have an overlap but Ramos spills the ball as he enters the 22. It comes back for a kickable penalty though.

France 3-0 South Africa, 15 mins

20:19 , Luke Baker

Sekou Macalou comes on for Danty, I can’t imagine he’ll return from that blow to the head. Macalou goes on the wing and Moefana into the centres. This will be an interesting test for Les Bleus.

Meanwhile, the Springboks try to reset as they prepare for 70 minutes with 14 men. They go through the phases and win a penalty in midfield, Du Klerk kicks to touch and this is a decent platform.

RED CARD! France 3-0 SOUTH AFRICA (Du Toit, 11 mins)

20:16 , Luke Baker

Right, Danty is on the floor at the breakdown. And Du Toit basically targets his head with his own head. Ref Wayne Barnes discusses it with the TMO, there’s no mitigation and comes to the conclusion it’s a red card.

Simply had to be. Dangerous play from Du Toit. It’s a lonely walk off for him to the jeers of the crowd. He looks distraught on the bench. Danty off for a HIA

France 3-0 South Africa, 11 mins

20:14 , Luke Baker

Ollivon steals the Springboks’ lineout on his own 22, prompting a roar from the crowd, and France can clear.

South Africa having more of the possession here and it’s been a physical encounter. Kolbe gets the ball on the right wing and runs across the field, probing for a whole, but Les Bleus stay firm.

A big defensive set and they win the penalty. Danty now receiving treatment after getting a blow to the head from Pieter-Steph du Toit at the breakdown. He could be in trouble here...

France 3-0 South Africa, 8 mins

20:10 , Luke Baker

Nice kick across from Willemse lands in the hands of Kriel but he doesn’t have enough room on the left wing to make good ground. A break in play as a French player receives treatment but we’re good to go again.

The noise the French fans in the Stade Velodrome are making is immense by the way.

France 3-0 South Africa, 6 mins

20:07 , Luke Baker

Penaud makes decent yards down the right and his clever kick nearly works but well covered by South Africa as Le Roux finds space. France get the ball back but they’re forced into touch on the left as Ntamack is dragged down by Willemse.

The Boks then clear their lines into the France half

France 3-0 South Africa, 4 mins

20:05 , Luke Baker

A rare mistake from Alldritt as he drops the ball from the kick-off and that gives the Boks ball in the France 22. But the ball is stripped and France can clear. A missed opportunity.

Another drop, this time from South Africa as Moster spills it, with the ball proving slightly slippy early on. Scrum to France

PEN! FRANCE 3-0 South Africa (Ramos, 2 mins)

20:03 , Luke Baker

Relatively long range but fairly straight and Thomas Ramos makes no mistake. The full-back ensures it’s first blood to France

KICK-OFF! France 0-0 South Africa, 1 mins

20:02 , Luke Baker

Underway in Marseille. The noise in the Stade Velodrome is deafening. What an atmosphere!

France win an early penalty in the Springboks half. Shot at the posts?

France vs South Africa

19:58 , Luke Baker

Anthems completed and it’s almost kick-off time in Marseille.

France vs South Africa team news

19:56 , Luke Baker

France opt for the same team who edged Australia last weekend, looking to extend their unbeaten record to 12 matches.

Centre Jonathan Danty will start again after being a doubt following the birth of his child overnight on Tuesday, which saw him skip a couple of training sessions, while Yoram Moefana will again be on the wing.

South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber makes five changes following last Saturday’s 19-16 loss to Ireland in Dublin.

Willie le Roux is recalled at full-back and Faf de Klerk at scrum-half. He also includes uncapped fly-half Manie Libbok on the bench after struggling to find a consistent replacement at No. 10 for the injured Handre Pollard. Although Damian Williemse struggled against Ireland he is retained at fly-half.

Cheslin Kolbe goes back to the right wing and Kurt-Lee Arendse shifts to the left wing. Prop Ox Nche and hooker Bongi Mbonambi both start while Mostert is at lock after an injury to Lood de Jager.

Startling line-ups

France: 15 Thomas Ramos; 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Yoram Moefana; 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain); 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch; 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki; 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille

Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Bastien Chalureau, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Matthieu Jalibert

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Albertus Smith, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Deon Fourie, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Makazole Mapimpi

France vs South Africa

19:50 , Luke Baker

There’s just one game left today but what a game it is! Six Nations winners France take on reigning world champions South Africa in Marseille, Yes please!

We’ve got live coverage of the game, starting with the team news.

Justin Tipuric discusses Wales’s win

19:46 , Luke Baker

Wales skipper Justin Tipuric has discussed the victory with Prime Video.

“It's a lot nicer winning, that's for sure,” he admitted. “We knew after last week we'd have a lot of stick and rightly so. It shows the characters in the team to bounce back.

“Now we need to sharpen up on a few things and put in a better performance against Georgia next week.

“A big work-on from last week was our defence. The boys stood up today and put everything right. The character and attitude to come here, the Argies are a good team, they could have steamrollered us like last week but we came out fighting and got the win

“We’ve got to keep performing well and improving. Every week is a chance to do that.”

Pablo Matera discusses defeat

19:41 , Luke Baker

Argentina skipper Pablo Matera gives his thoughts on the defeat.

“It was a physical game,” he said. “We didn't quite do the job, we had a lot of opportunities to score but didn't finish the plays.

“This is one of the best rugby stadiums in the world. It’s hard to take this loss because we know if we played a little better, we could have taken the win. Well done to Wales, they were physical and tough from minute one to minute 80.

“We had a short week, it was a big challenge after last week to turn the page as quickly as possible. We did a good job with that, nothing to complain about how we prepared. It was 80 minutes of rugby and our effort was where it needed to be.”

Wales 20-13 Argentina

19:34 , Luke Baker

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
 (AP)
(AP)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (PA Wire)
(PA Wire)

Taulupe Faletau reacts

19:25 , Luke Baker

Taulupe Faletau was named Player of the Match for a tireless display and he gave his immediate reaction to Prime Video after the game.

He said: “Our performance was better than last week but there’s still plenty to work on. Looking back at the game last week and at where we went wrong, we talked about mindset. I think we were much better with that today. You've just got to keep working hard.”

FULL-TIME! Wales 20-13 Argentina

19:21 , Luke Baker

It wasn’t always pretty but Wales hold on for a desperately-needed win!

 (PA)
(PA)

Wales 20-13 Argentina, 80 mins

19:20 , Luke Baker

Wales just need to stay disciplined defensively. And they do! The ball is loose, Ken Owens picks it up, feeds Rhys Priestland and he kicks to touch!

Wales win!

Wales 20-13 Argentina, 80 mins

19:19 , Luke Baker

The Pumas win a penalty and the kick to touch moves them up towards halfway. A long way to go to get the equalising score though. Clock into the red.

Wales 20-13 Argentina, 79 mins

19:18 , Luke Baker

Scrappy lineout but won by Wales and Morgan makes a few yards on the carry. Argentina get the ball back but they’re deep in their own 22 and Albornoz’s kick clear is charged down by Williams. It squirts into touch for a five-metre lineout.

Wales 20-13 Argentina, 78 mins

19:17 , Luke Baker

Wales’s defence still shooting up and holding Argentina. Tipuric in particular a tackling machine. The Pumas can’t get over the halfway line and eventually give away possession.

Williams’ chip kick over the top is collected well by Carreras. But Argentina stuck in their own half and then Matera is forced into touch on the left. Wales have possession back with two minutes to go.

Wales 20-13 Argentina, 74 mins

19:14 , Luke Baker

Into the final six minutes. The teams play a bit of kick tennis before Priestland finds touch on halfway. Not a bad platform for Argentina to build.

Front-row change for Wales as Sam Wainwright on for Dillon Lewis.

Wales 20-13 Argentina, 72 mins

19:11 , Luke Baker

So close for Wales! They gets their speedsters to chase a kick through but Mallia just about gets there first for Argentina and plays the ball out from behind his own line, side-stepping a man.

They flip the field with a deep kick before Rees-Zammit thunders a kick clear towards halfway.

Ben Carter comes on for Adam Beard before his second-row teammate Will Rowlands goes off holding his wrist. Hooker Ryan Elias comes on for him and will play in the back row, with Faletau going intot he second row. A makeshift pack for Wales.

TRY! Wales 20-13 ARGENTINA (Tetaz Chaparro, 68 mins)

19:07 , Luke Baker

And there is the breakthrough.

Real momentum for Argentina from the driving maul as it comes infield, races to the line and replacement prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro burrows over. Boffelli adds the conversion and Argentina are within a score...

Wales 20-6 Argentina, 68 mins

19:05 , Luke Baker

Great game management for Wales as the win that period where they were down to 14 men 3-0. Back to 15 now. New fly-half on for Argentina as Tomas Albornoz is on for Santiago Carreras.

The Pumas are dominating territory and possession but can’t breach the line yet. Another five-metre lineout here.

Wales 20-6 Argentina, 66 mins

19:03 , Luke Baker

Argentina chuck the ball wide but Wales’s defence is impenetrable at the moment. North wraps Boffelli, holds him up and wins the turnover.

Rowlands will be back on in about 30 seconds’ time. Meanwhile, Eliseo Morales comes on for his Argentina debut at scrum half. Big day for the lad and he faces an uphill battle.

Wales 20-6 Argentina, 65 mins

19:00 , Luke Baker

Great kick chase by North as he hunts down Boffelli and pulls him to the ground. Wales look the hungrier side at the moment.

PEN! WALES 20-6 Argentina, (Priestland, 63 mins)

19:00 , Luke Baker

Priestland takes aim and from 40 metres, he sends the ball between the sticks. Good kick and Wales are now two converted tries ahead.

They’re also winning the period in which they’ve had 14 men 3-0.

Wales 17-6 Argentina, 62 mins

18:58 , Luke Baker

Into the final quarter in Cardiff. Wales managing this period with 14 men while Rowlands is in the sin-bin really well.

Great carry from Watkin, driving his legs and making good yards. Argentina getting really sloppy now as well, which helps. Mallia kicks the ball out on the full for a turnover.

Front-row change for Wales as Rhodri Jones comes off the bench. And Wales promptly win a penalty for offside! They’ll kick at goal

Wales 17-6 Argentina, 60 mins

18:55 , Luke Baker

Boffelli hasn’t had much ball to run with but he makes a half-break on the right flank. The Pumas go that way again, into the 22 but then there’s a knock-on by Santiago Carreras.

This is a good defensive effort by Wales in this second half. So disciplined and great line speed.

Matias Orlando enters the fray for the Pumas.

Wales 17-6 Argentina, 58 mins

18:54 , Luke Baker

Good touch-finder from Priestland to relieve the pressure. The veteran fly-half will be key to Wales surviving the next seven minutes or so while they’re down to 14 men.

WATCH: Williams gets charge-down score

18:52 , Luke Baker

Here’s how Tomos Williams got his try out of nothing:

Wales 17-6 Argentina, 58 mins

18:52 , Luke Baker

Carreras has a go down the blind side as Argentina move within five metres of the line. But it’s DROPPED! Wales hold firm again as Matera slips and spills the ball.

SIN BIN! WALES 17-6 Argentina, (Rowlands, 56 mins)

18:51 , Luke Baker

Not what Wales needed. Another penalty given away and Will Rowlands is sin-binned. He was clearly on the floor but reaches out and slaps the ball out of Betranou’s hands.

Needless and it means his team will be down to 14 for the next 10 minutes.

Wales 17-6 Argentina, 55 mins

18:49 , Luke Baker

Matera has a go at getting to the line before Gonzalez drives but he’s held up over the line. Great defence by Wales and we’ll have a water break.

A couple more changes as Rhys Preistland on for Anscombe, while Facundo Isa on for the Pumas.

Wales 17-6 Argentina, 54 mins

18:47 , Luke Baker

Sloppy at the lineout by Wales though, not for the first time, as Owens overthrows his man and Matera seizes upon it.

Dillon Lewis pinged for going off his feet and the Pumas go to the corner again. Maul is well defended by Wales, so they spread the ball to the backs.

Wales 17-6 Argentina, 52 mins

18:44 , Luke Baker

Wales miss touch with the penalty but soon win another at the breakdown - great stuff by Justin Tipuric leading the charge.

Change for Wales as Tompkins heads off, with Owen Watkin coming on.

Wales 17-6 Argentina, 51 mins

18:43 , Luke Baker

Eduardo Bello is also on, so it’s an all-new front row for the Pumas.

They kick the penalty to the corner, set up the maul and get within a couple of metres from the line but great breakdown work by Adam Beard who jackals to win the penalty. Top stuff from the lock.

Wales 17-6 Argentina, 49 mins

18:41 , Luke Baker

Ignacio Ruiz and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro on in the front row for Argentina. They’re straight into a scrum and the Pumas win a penalty from it.

TRY! WALES 17-6 Argentina, (Williams, 46 mins)

18:38 , Luke Baker

Out of nowhere, Wales have another try!

A bit of nothing kick from Williams is easily gathered by Mallia but he dithers and that allows the scrum half to charge down his return kick. It careers towards the try line, Williams chases and dots down for the score. A bit of luck perhaps but Wales will take it.

Anscombe adds the extras and Wales have a healthy lead

Wales 10-6 Argentina, 45 mins

18:36 , Luke Baker

Heavy carry by Rowlands and Wales then run a few more phases to steadily gain ground. Wales preferring to go down the blindside but Thomas shows his props hands as he knocks on to end the attack.

Worth saying, Rees-Zammit is looking solid at 15 so far.

Wales 10-6 Argentina, 41 mins

18:33 , Luke Baker

Back underway for the second half in Cardiff. Can Wales convert this to a victory?

Nice carry by Rees-Zammit early in the second half before Cruz Mallia does well under a high ball during a kicking battle.

WATCH: Faletau goes over for the try

18:25 , Luke Baker

The only try of the first half came from Taulupe Faletau as he was driven over the whitewash

HALF-TIME! Wales 10-6 Argentina

18:16 , Luke Baker

Last play before half-time and Wales run a few phases in the tight before Anscombe boots it into the stands. The game in the balance but Wales deservedly lead through Faletau’s try.

 (PA)
(PA)

Wales 10-6 Argentina, 38 mins

18:15 , Luke Baker

Tompkins spills the kick-off to give possession straight to Argentina but Gonzalez returns the favour and Williams clears up to halfway.

Good contest in the air between Boffelli and Ree-Zammit sees Argentina earn the lineout but an attempted quick lineout to the front is disrupted by Gareth Thomas. Good awareness from the prop and it wins his team a scrum, just inside their own half

PEN! WALES 10-6 Argentina, (Anscombe, 37 mins)

18:13 , Luke Baker

Easy enough for Anscombe and he slots the kick. Wales have dominated the last 10 minutes and deservedly lead.

Wales 7-6 Argentina, 36 mins

18:12 , Luke Baker

A rare mistake from Carreras as he boots the kick-off straight out of play to immediately cede possession back to Wales.

Huge carry by North sends two defenders backwards! Superb stuff. Argentina then pinged for taking out the man off the ball and Anscombe can extend the lead from the tee.

TRY! WALES 7-6 Argentina (Faletau, 31 mins)

18:07 , Luke Baker

And there it is! Wales over at last.

In the end it’s rather simple. Good execution of the basics to claim lineout ball, they set up the driving maul and it moves inexorably to the line where Taulupe Faletau flops down for the score.

Gareth Anscombe adds the conversion and Wales are ahead

Wales 0-6 Argentina, 30 mins

18:06 , Luke Baker

Good, strong running from Tompkins gets him over the gain-line and into the Pumas 22. North then sent flying backwards by some great shoot-up defence.

Another penalty for Wales as Argentina penalised for offside - third penalty against them. Wales consider going for the posts but it’s to the corner again instead.

Wales 0-6 Argentina, 27 mins

18:02 , Luke Baker

This is entertainingly frantic! Better lineout from Owens, finding Tipuric. The noise around the stadium rises as Wales get closer to the line as Rees-Zammit makes some yards before Thomas is inches short.

Owens then dives for the line but the ball comes loose and Argentina pick it up before running from in their own in-goal area! They actually have a 3-on-1 overlap but Carreras drops the pass. Back for an Argentina scrum on their own 5-metre line.

Bad news for Wales though as Dan Lydiate goes off holding his left wrist. Jac Morgan comes on into the back row.

Wales 0-6 Argentina, 26 mins

17:59 , Luke Baker

Poor execution from Wales. The lineout is overthrown and Argentina steal, although Carreras then runs sideways in his own 22. The Pumas scramble a clearance kick but it doesn’t have great distance. Another Wales lineout just outside the 22

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