South Africa 30-14 Wales: Hosts end tourists' dream in Cape Town

The hosts triumphed in the third Test in Cape Town as Wales failed to win a series for the first time.

Pollard scored 20 points with hooker Bongi Mbonambi crossing for a try.

Tommy Reffell scored a try for Wales.

Faletau and Anscombe were injured.

Wales could not follow in the footsteps of Ireland and England who won series against New Zealand and Australia.

Three weeks after arriving in South Africa, the tourists can return home with a sense of purpose and pride.

Wales lost to Italy in the final game of the Six Nations and were written off against the world champion.

Wales made a mockery of pre- tour predictions going into the final game and most were expecting a whitewash.

The series was level after the hosts had won the opening Test in Pretoria and the visitors had won the second Test in Bloemfontein.

Faletau and Anscombe were both injured before the start of the game in Cape Town.

Faletau was shaking his head as he left the field with an injury to his side after the warm-up, and his absence prompted a back-row shuffle with Josh Navidi stepping up to number 8 and Taine Basham coming on to the bench.

Anscombe missed the second Test with a rib injury.

After making 14 changes for the second Test defeat, Jacques Nienaber reverted to his tried and trusted side.

The team that played in the World Cup final in South Africa had 11 starters from the previous year.

He was named the man-of-the-match after leading his side out on his 100th international.

Makazole Mapimpi's foot was in touch with the Lukhanyo Am kick as he tried to score a try.

The penalty by Handre Pollard was enough for the South African team. Damian Willemse was hauled down illegally by Biggar after collecting his own kick as South Africa dominated the aerial battle.

The centre was deemed just short of being able to hold Damian de Allende.

The onslaught continued as the Springboks' scrum dominance sprung into action and the pressure told as Pollard dived over and converted.

Dan Lydiate was taken to the hospital with a blood injury.

Lock Alun Wyn Jones was switched to the blind-side flank.

On the day George North became Wales' most capped back in his 105th appearance, the visitors began to play some attacking rugby with him.

Reffell scored after Josh Adams set him up.

The South Africa wing was forced off and replaced by Willie le Roux.

Matthew Carley issued a final warning to Biggar for Wales' set piece issues.

Biggar was able to reduce the deficit with a penalty.

On his 50th appearance from a driving maul, hooker Mbonambi scored a try. Pollard made it 17-8 at the half.

Biggar scored the first points of the second half with a penalty after Wales brought on front-row reinforcements.

The scrum-half's pass to Am was ruled forward by the referee.

Biggar brought Wales back into the game with his third penalty.

South Africa retaliated with a try by captain Kolisi that was converted.

After Reffell was replaced by Basham, Wales went in search of clawing back the 10-point deficit but an attacking lineout throw went astray.

Pollard scored two late penalties to win the game.

Line-ups

South Africa has Willemse, Am, de Allende, Mapimpi, Pollard, and Hendrikse.

The replacements were Marx, Kitshoff, Koch, Mostert, Smith, Louw and de Klerk.

Wales has L Williams, North, Tompkins, Adams, Biggar and others.

Lake, Wyn Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Basham, T Williams, Patchell, Watkin are replacements.

Match officials

Matthew Carley is an English referee.

Nika Amashukeli is an assistant referee.

The man is from Australia.