Key occasions
forty second min: South Africa hit their straps. Fassie closely concerned, first distributing from second receiver, then operating an outstanding assist line off Hendrikse’s shoulder, then virtually stitching a cross again in-field as he combines with Arendse. That was pleasant. They stepped out so Wale have the throw on their 22. Hanekom comes on to win his debut.
They’re again out on the park.
Can Wales pull off a comeback? No. In all probability not. However that attempt late within the first half ought to give them a elevate. Can they explode out the blocks for the second? Let’s see…
“Hope Etzebet is OK.”
Says Harold [no surname].
”Boks should be cautious to not get too complacent.”
I wouldn’t fear about that.
“I used to be anticipating SA to win however ….didn’t suppose they’d be main 179-0 at this stage.
Thanks Giles B, and David Manby. That is reference to a typo of mine after Arendse’ attempt.
In my defence, the spirit of this recreation displays that rating. And let’s not low cost the Boks stacking on one other 153 factors within the second half.
Half-time: Wales 5-26 South Africa
That’ll be that. One-sided doesn’t fairly lower it. Positive, Wales had the ultimate say, however two South Africans had been held up over the road and 4 extra dotted down. Even this gulf on the scoreboard doesn’t convey the gulf on the pitch.
TRY! Wales 5-26 South Africa (Dyer, 40)
Dyer scores a stunner! As soon as once more with penalty benefit following a powerful maul off the line-out, and several other huge carries, Dyer finds the best nook on the alternative facet of the sphere. Kriel made an ideal defensive learn and appeared to have stifled the assault Wales went down the backline, however Dyer received the ball in house, pinned his ears again and located the nook. The conversion is broad however a minimum of Wales have a rating earlier than half-time.
thirty ninth min: A lot, significantly better from Wales. After the line-out they maintained their section play and form. They went proper from the set-piece however couldn’t break by means of with sturdy carries. South Africa hold them out however illegally so one other penalty goes the way in which of the Welsh. One other line-out. One other maul. One other penalty benefit. Mostert collapsed the maul. Will they received for one more line-out? Certainly they’ll.
thirty seventh min: South Africa commit a penalty after the restart so Wales kick to the nook and get an opportunity to land a blow of their very own. They win the line-out and their maul is robust and safe. Can they get this over the road?
TRY! Wales 0-26 South Africa (E Louw, 35)
There’s the fourth! South Africa’s scrum consumed the Welsh pack, gained a penalty and the attempt was inevitable from there. Wiese picked up and carried a metre brief. However Elrigh Louw completed it with a muscular assertion below the poles. The conversion simply provides extra woe for the house facet.
thirty third min: Kolisi has dotted over the road however they’re going to test if there wasn’t an infringement within the construct up. Certainly there’s! Jaden Hendrikse spilled it on the base of a ruck. That’s a disgrace. Nearly each Bok was concerned in a transfer wealthy with fast palms and off-loads. They’re enjoying a distinct sport than their hosts. Wales have one other scrum to outlive close to their very own line.
thirty second min: A 3rd Welsh participant makes a sort out on a person within the air. Hathaway this time as he took Fassie out. Having gained a turnover on South Africa’s ball moments earlier, it’s simply poor. Gatland can’t do something about that. That’s simply not ok at Check stage.
thirty first min: Wales get the ball out with none hazard. Plumtree carries nicely below stress. A clearing kick takes it out between midway and their 22 so the Boks will come once more from the line-out.
thirtieth min: The brothers virtually mix for a worldie! Jaden’s little dink kick from the again of the ruck is completely timed to fulfill Jordan’s blind run by means of the Welsh line. But it surely bobbles awkwardly and he knocks on round his knees. Eztebeth will need to have taken a nasty knock as he’s leaving the sphere wanting slightly groggy. The equally massive RG Snyman enters the scene. Wales have the scrum 5 metres from their very own line.
twenty ninth min: Off the line-out, the Boks work a nifty transfer down the left with de Allende concerned within the build-up. They hold possession and snake left after which again proper with brief carries from the large items. 15 phases earlier than a cross-field kick finds Kolbe on the left wing. The little man leaps and knocks it again for Fassie who collects and dives over the road, however heroic holds him up and prevents the ball from being dotted down.
twenty sixth min: Thomas du Toit wins the scrum penalty. They’re simply so dominant in so many areas. Hendrikse then hoofs a giant kick to the touch and we’re again in Welsh territory for a South African throw.
twenty third min: Wales will get a uncommon contact of the ball after a knock-on by the Boks round half-way. They take it on with a stiff carry from their captain, Lake. Costelow then kicks highand Fassie knocks on. So it’ll be one other scrum for Wales about 10 metres into enemy territory.
twenty first min: There’s simply no respite for Wales. A second sort out within the air in 20 minutes concedes a penalty straight from the restart. So irritating. Hendrikse goes for distance however doesn’t discover contact. Costelow (again on the sphere after a head test) kicks it out round half-way.
TRY! Wales 0-19 South Africa (Arendse, 19)
And one other! And it was so easy. Mostert takes the line-out and Hendrkise then fizzes it down the road. Nothing particular. Simply quick and correct. Arendse, on the left wing catches a looping cross from Fassie after which steps off his left foot and rounds the 2 protecting defenders. Hendrikse converts as It’s falling aside for Wales.
nineteenth min: One other penalty inside Wales’ 22. Llewellyn with a sort out off the ball. he received sucked into shopping for the decoy run of Fassi. South Africa have already made 267 metres to Wales’ 33. They’ll have one other line-out 5 out. It’s one-way visitors up to now.
seventeenth min: Wales maintain agency|! Good defence. First their scrum held their very own and forc ed messy ball for Hendrikse on the base. Wiese picked up and went himself however couldn’t bust by means of. Etzebeth was then crunched by Smith. Kolisi then had a dart however Morgan did brilliantly to carry him up over the road.
14th min: Wales do nicely to elevate a jumper and disrupt the line-out. However they spill the ball. So South Africa will get a 5 metre scrum. Out of the frying pan and into the fireplace for the house facet.
thirteenth min: The Boks get a rumble on from their maul, however there’s a penalty because the Welsh disrupt it illegally. That is perhaps the ultimate straw earlier than a yellow is proven. One other line-out probability for SA. This time about 5 metres out.
thirteenth min: Slick line-out work and Arendse, off his wing, takes it on a wraparound transfer from de Allende and busts over the 22 line on the best. Plumtree will get in a tangle at a breakdown and is penalised. Hendrikse punts it nearer to the road. SA with the throw about seven out.
eleventh min: Wales are off-side in order that they get a penalty inside their very own half. They’re chucking it about, even below stress Jordan Hendrikse chucked a tricky cross to Kriel who took the contact. However the penalty permits Hendrikse to kick in the direction of Wales’ 22 for a line-out.
TRY! Wales 0-12 South Africa (Etzebeth, 9)
Each locks have scored! They’re operating riot! It began with stiff counter ruck that robbed Wales of the ball. Then it was all too straightforward as fast palms discovered Arendse on the left wing and in a flash he was cantering up the sphere. A easy cross again inside discovered the large unit in assist and he charged over the attempt line. The conversion is missed, however this already appears to be like prefer it might get messy.
TRY! Wales 0-7 South Africa (Mostert, 6)
South Africa are on the board! An excellent line from Mostert is completely missed by wales close to the best wing and Jaden Hendrikse hits the large man at tempo and he’s by means of a spot. It began with a run from Arendse that sparked a transfer down the road earlier than Kolbe barged into the 22. South Africa then dominated the breakdown and saved their momentum transferring ahead. Wales’ line splintered and Mostert picked his second to perfection. The conversion is nice and the Boks are away.
fifth min: Elrigh Louw claims the line-out behind the line-out and Hendrikse then Wiese take it near the road. They’re 5 out as they go from proper to left. However Botham will get low and wins an important penalty on his personal line. That could be a incredible steal. Wilco Louw responsible of holding on there after he charged over the gainline.
4th min: Costelow has began nicely. He takes a excessive ball below stress. Hendrikse then will get clattered as he catches a excessive kick however quickly Kriel is over the gainline courtesy of a cross-field kick to to the left wing. However we come again for the penalty as Dyer took Hendrikse out within the air. The Boks hoof it ling and so they’ll get the line-out inside Wales’ 22.
2nd min: Costelow’s kick-off is deep and Jordan Hendrikse boots it out round half-way. Morgan fees to the road. Costelow carries nicely. Lake too. Early continuity from the Welsh till Costelow launched a excessive kick that’s claimed by Jordan Hendrkise. They’re enjoying their very own recreation proper now.
Wales in white with inexperienced shorts by the way in which. Possibly that’s the change they wanted.
Let you know what, that was a transferring rendention of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
Irrespective of the context, the Welsh know methods to again their boys. Tears within the eyes of Lake and Dyer. If they will convey that to the pitch we would have a recreation.
The gamers are stood of their rows, two of rugby’s greatest anthems are about to get going.
Not lengthy now…
Right here’s what the coaches needed to say earlier than kick-off:
Warren Gatland:
Final week’s end result hurts, and we’re simply as upset by it because the followers.
There have been good parts that we are able to undoubtedly construct on going into Saturday, however we now have to enhance our accuracy.
We all know what a top quality facet South Africa are and the physicality they carry. This week we have to present actual braveness and front-up in opposition to the world champions.
Rassie Erasmus:
That is our final match of the season, and we’re decided to complete the yr on a optimistic notice.
Wales are a proud nation with a world-renowned coach in Warren and so they’ll do all the pieces to complete their marketing campaign on a excessive notice.
We’d love to complete the tour unbeaten, however we’re nicely conscious of the truth that we’ve have a number of shut outcomes in opposition to them through the years on the Principality Stadium.
Wales have gained the coin toss. Up to now so good for the underdogs.
“I do care passionately about Welsh rugby and that’s why I’ve stated that if folks really feel that the very best resolution is for me to go, then that’s OK, I’ll transfer on and search for one thing else,” Gatland stated this week.
“I actually imagine that in case you make that call now, what are you going to attain? Is another person going to return in there and begin once more, how lengthy is that course of going to take? What gamers can be found to us in the mean time which can be doubtlessly going to have an effect on outcomes?”
Combating phrases from one of many recreation’s biggest scrappers. However certainly the tip is nigh?
When Cameron Hanekom takes the sphere to win his Check debut, he’ll develop into the 51st participant utilized by Rassie Erasmus this yr.
Ordinarily such chopping and altering is a sing that issues aren’t going so nicely (Wayne Pivac used 50 Welsh gamers in 2020 and Dave Rennie used 51 Australians in 2022).
However the Boks are heading in the right direction to win their eleventh Check from 13 in a season that features a Rugby Championship title.
South Africa’s dominance over the oval ball is usually inflated by their passionate supporters. France, New Zealand and Eire, one their day, can definitely problem them. However there’s no query we’re within the midst of one of many nice dynasties within the sport’s historical past.
“Gatland has appeared like a sacked man working, if not a lifeless man strolling, ever since he stated he was prepared to resign if it was in “the best interests of the Welsh game” after they had been overwhelmed 52-20 by Australia final Sunday”
This was punchy stuff from Andy Bull who additionally argues that Gats is “a superb man, and was an ideal coach” however that it’s “starting to really feel like his final act of service to the Welsh recreation might be to take the blame for its failings, and, by doing so, pressure it to lastly confront the state it’s in.”
I’m unsure the place I stand. All I do know is that if the coach of my nationwide workforce had publicly introduced his intention/willingness to step away from the job twice in the identical yr, I’d be demanding he depart as swiftly as doable.
South Africa workforce
Two brothers – Jordan and Jaden Hendrikse – begin collectively within the half-backs for the primary time. Outdoors of them is a ton of expertise because the within the backline.
In entrance of them it’s a barely rejigged pack. Eben Etzebeth was supposed to begin off the bench however a late harm to Jean Kleyn means the 130-cap veteran wears the 4 jersey. Maintain a watch out for debutant Cameron Hanekom off the bench. Many again house have predicted a vibrant future for the rampaging free ahead.
South Africa: Aphelele Fassie; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobellar, Wilco Louw, Eben Eztebeth; Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (c), Elrigh Louw, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenkamp, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard.
Wales workforce
There have been 4 late modifications to the facet that was initially chosen. Undecided if that’s an indication of chaos within the ranks however it’s a uncommon late shuffle for positive.
Winger Josh Hathaway and prop Nicky Smith begin instead of Tom Rogers and Gareth Thomas. Kemlsey Mathias and Owen Watkin take their place on a helpful wanting bench.
However I worry none of this can make a lot of a distinction. Nonetheless, what a chance to do your nation proud.
Wales: Blair Murray; Josh Hathaway, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Rio Dyer; Sam Costelow, Ellis Bevan; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (c), Archie Griffin, Will Rowlands, Christ Tchiunza, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Kieron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Eddie James, Owen Watkin.
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
When you like your Check rugby tight and hotly contested, you’ve most likely come to the improper place.
In fact something can occur, however this is able to go down as one of many biggest shocks within the sport’s historical past if Wales – winless this yr – handle to topple the Springboks.
Warren Gatland, Wales’ beleaguered coach, used to work miracles and obtain success regardless of the struggles of the home set-up. However he’s both misplaced his mojo or run out of gamers who could make up for these shortcomings as a result of he heads into probably the most tough problem in rugby proper now on the again of 11 straight defeats. For these questioning, that makes this the worst Welsh facet within the nation’s historical past. Something aside from a crushing twelfth loss would represent an upset.
Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s coach, has no house for sentiment or sympathy. He’s chosen a formidable facet (extra on that later) and can anticipate to shut 2024 with an eleventh win from 13 Assessments. This could additionally make it a clear sweep from their European tour, their first since 2013.
But when Wales are to go down allow them to a minimum of go down with satisfaction. Even a disappointing end result can have a silver lining in spite of everything and there are literally thousands of loyal Welsh supporters who need to put this torrid yr behind them with an inkling of goodwill of their hearts.
Kick off at 5:40pm.
Groups and additional updates to return.
