South Africa 20 Wales 22: Ryan Elias’ bizarre late try wins a topsy-turvy game for Warren Gatland’s experimental side in Washington DC

RYAN ELIAS bagged a last-gasp winning try to grab Wales a smash and grab win against South Africa in Washington DC.

Warren Gatland’s side had gone two tries to the good in the American capital, before a blunder and a yellow card allowed the Springboks back into the game.

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But late on, the Welsh charged down a series of kicks deep in South Africa’s 22 and eventually the ball ricocheted off a Springbok defender straight into Elias’ arms for the try.

The opening half hour was one of the most forgettable in recent years for Wales, as open play was constantly punctured by errors and several scrums.

But Wales were alive to a slow Springbok ruck and Ellis Jenkins pinched the loose ball.

A few passes later the ball arrived with Amos, who dummied inside off the right to score the first try.

It was a welcome reprieve for the men in red, just moments after they had lost winger Steff Evans to injury and his replacement Hadleigh Parkes did well in the build-up.

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Four minutes later, it was the turn of Ellis Jenkins, Seb Davies and George North to make space for debutant Tomos Williams to work a try in tight space.

But Wales shot themselves in the foot when Amos attempted to spread the ball out, but it was intercepted by Travis Ismaiel, who had far too much pace to make any errors, scoring behind the posts.

They were lucky not to concede a penalty try when Owen Watkin pushed an up and under dead, but he was shown a yellow card just before the hour mark.

Seconds later, South Africa had the ball from a scrum and managed to get the ball out to winger Makazole Mapimpi to score in the corner, which was converted to tie the scores.

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The next nine minutes of the sin bin were successfully negotiated by Wales though as Ismaiel stretched for the corner, but he was denied by some stubborn Welsh defence.

Wales were missing several stars, including Alun Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, Gareth Davies, Sam Warburton and Toby Faletau.

The players had visited the White House the day before in a PR offensive on the East Coast, before heading to Argentina for a two-game test series.