South Africa prevailed in the first of three test matches against Wales, but the score indicates it was a close call. The Springboks will look to keep a feisty Welsh team at bay heading in the second match. 

Here's everything you need to know about the July 9 match between South Africa and Wales. 

Where: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa

The lowdown: Saturday was a momentous occasion for South Africa as the defending world champions got to finally play in front of a full-capacity home crowd (as pandemic-related restrictions were lifted by the government) for the first time since winning the Webb Ellis Cup three years ago in Japan. 

No one told Wales it wasn't supposed to nearly spoil the party. 

Coach Wayne Pivac's side was stellar in Pretoria, with wing Louis Rees-Zammit scoring twice in the first half to give Wales an 18-3 lead at the intermission, but the Springboks fought back to improve to 11-0 at home against the Welsh in an epic 32-29 win, sealed with a game-winning penalty by Damian Willemse with the game's final kick in the 83rd minute. 

Despite the defeat, it was one of Wales' best performances in recent memory, something the team desperately needed after a humiliating loss to Italy in this year's Six Nations, and adds an interesting wrinkle to the middle match of the tour in Bloemfontein. 

6️⃣ uncapped players and a new captain for the second clash against @WelshRugbyUnion
?️ "Everyone knows they will be in for a proper Test on Saturday" - Jacques Nienaber
? Team announcement: https://t.co/10lditiUya#StrongerTogether #StrongerForever pic.twitter.com/j5qUfC26Ip

— Springboks (@Springboks) July 5, 2022

Still, four Welsh yellow cards and two missed conversions from captain Dan Biggar proved vital as the tension of the game grew, with few sides able to make so many miscues against the No. 1-ranked Springboks and survive with a victory intact. 

Wales has the right to be encouraged from the first test of the series, however, and it could help it turn the tour into something historic. South Africa is the world's best at the moment for a reason. If Wales forgets that, it could be set up for a world of hurt.