South Africa through to semi-finals after edging out Wales 23-19
South Africa captain Fourie du Preez’s try five minutes from time hauled the Springboks past Wales 23-19 in a thrilling World Cup quarter-final at Twickenham.
Wales led 19-18 when Preez, cajoled out of Test retirement by coach Heyneke Meyer, burst down the blindside off the back of a close-range scrum after a superb pass from number eight Duane Vermeulen.
Springboks wing Bryan Habana moved inside to draw Welsh marker Alex Cuthbert with him, and du Preez surged into the gap.
Fly half Handre Pollard scored all of two-time world champions South Africa’s other points in the brutal, see-saw contest.
The Springboks will meet defending champions New Zealand in the semi-finals after the All Blacks hammered France 62-13 in Cardiff.