In celebrating the best rugby moments of 2022, ZELIM NEL remembers how Damian Willemse came through in the clutch to extend South Africa’s home winning streak against Wales.

The Springboks suffered their first home loss against Wales on 9 July, 2022. South Africa had never lost a Test against Wales before SA went down 29-19 at the Millennium Stadium in 1999. That dark day looks bright in comparison to the world champions surrendering 13-12 on the Bloemfontein highveld in July, seven days after Willemse rescued the Boks from what would have been an even more ignominious loss at Loftus Versfeld.

The team chosen for South Africa’s season opener featured eight starters that had jetted in from foreign clubs, and four more overseas-based players on the bench. One of those eight starters was Elton Jantjies, who was thrown into the deep end – picked at 10 in the season opener after six months spent recovering from shoulder surgery.

Jantjies was yanked at half time, with Willemse shifting to flyhalf and Willie le Roux coming on at fullback, but by that stage the Boks were already in an 18-3 hole. Fortunately, the pack shook off the ring rust at the break and the forwards roared to life in the second stanza with Willemse and Le Roux taking control of the game.

The pressure took a toll on the tourists who lost three players to yellow cards, while Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx and Cheslin Kolbe dotted down and the Boks were awarded a penalty try to take a late, 29-24 lead.

Dewi Lake crashed over the line with three minutes remaining to level the scores and it looked as though South Africa was on the brink of surrendering a run of 10 consecutive victories against Wales in the Republic dating back to 1964.

But then, in the 83rd minute, Willemse showed exceptional temperament in just his second start for the Springboks in SA to slot the match-winning penalty at Loftus.

Photo: Twitter/@Springboks