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Springboks 'win ugly' in Wales

Brad Morgan

10 November 2008

The Springboks opened their three-test end-of-season tour with a hard-fought, somewhat ugly 20-15 victory over Wales in Cardiff on Saturday. It could easily have been a bigger win for South Africa, but a spirited Welsh fight-back made it close at the end.

Wales enjoyed more possession and the territorial advantage, but John Smit and company had opened up a 20-3 lead before the Dragons began to put the squeeze on the Boks. And despite all the pressure they exerted, the home side was forced to settle for penalty goals and not tries.

There were concerns in the lead up to the clash that the Springboks could be exposed at the important positions of flyhalf and tighthead prop where Ruan Pienaar and John Smit, who usually play at scrumhalf and hooker respectively, had been included. They proved to be unfounded as Pienaar turned in a strong performance in the number-10 jersey, while Smit enjoyed the better of his battle with Welsh loosehead Gethin Jenkins.

Execution

Where the Boks came up short was in execution, with numerous handling errors hampering the fluency of the team's play.

They also conceded far too many penalties, especially at the breakdown where they were frequently blown up for going off of their feet, for going over the top, or for entering from the side.

Thankfully for South Africa, Pienaar responded well to his selection as the side's first-choice kicker, landing every attempt he made on goal; considering the final score, those successful kicks were desperately needed.

Kicking

Apart from his goal kicking, Pienaar's touchline and tactical kicking was also excellent.

The Springbok lineout also did a good job, managing to pilfer or spoil a good number of Welsh throw-ins.

The victory might have cost the Springboks dearly, however, with Bakkies Botha being replaced at halftime after suffering a finger in an eye, while Adrian Jacobs injured a knee; both players are doubtful starters for the coming weekend's test against Scotland at Murrayfield.

When the whistle sounded, South Africa started strongly at the Millennium Stadium, forcing their way deep into Welsh territory.

Early try

With only four minutes played, after putting Wales under pressure by claiming a high-up-and-under, the Springboks moved the ball smartly out wide and Jacobs crossed for a try, which Pienaar converted to put the visitors into an early 7-0 lead.

Strong defence forced the Welsh to hold onto a ball on the ground at a ruck, thus conceding a penalty, and Pienaar was called on to take a shot at goal after eight minutes. His aim was true and South Africa moved into a 10-point lead.

With the flyhalf putting in huge touchfinders and testing kicks deep into the Welsh half and up against the touchlines, the Springboks enjoyed by far the better of the territorial battle.

Try-saving tackle

Midway through the half, Wales' number-eight, Andy Powell, playing in his debut test, made a strong 50-metre break. Only superb cover defence from Fourie du Preez and Bryan Habana prevented a try, with Habana forcing a penalty at the tackle.

Three minutes later, Steven Jones was off target with a penalty attempt after Victor Matfield was penalised for going off his feet.

On 26 minutes the home side opened their scoring with a long distance penalty by 19-year-old debutant Lee Halfpenny.

Pienaar came oh so close to scoring a second South Africa try after 33 minutes when, after a great break by Schalk Burger, he knocked on over the Welsh tryline.

10-point lead

With halftime nearing, a strong South African scrum forced a penalty out of Wales and Pienaar was again on target with his kick at goal to move SA into a 13-3 lead, which was the score at the break.

Wales exerted pressure on South Africa from the restart, forcing the Springboks back into their half.

With a remarkable piece of footwork, Shane Williams made three players miss with a series of scintillating jinks, but JP Pietersen lined him up and drove the elusive Welsh winger back in a crunching tackle.

Oustanding tackle

Fullback Lee Byrne then broke through the South African midfield and, with an overlap of players on his outside, a try was on. Pietersen, though, made an outstanding tackle to stop the attack in its tracks.

With about 50 minutes played Ryan Kankowski replaced Pierre Spies, while Wales brought on Dwayne Peel at scrumhalf and James Hook at flyhalf.

The first time Hook touched the ball, he attempted a skip pass to his right. Jean de Villiers, though, had read the play perfectly and he intercepted the pass and raced away from about the halfway line for South Africa's second try.

Big lead

Pienaar added the extras and at 20-3 it appeared that the Springboks were on their way to an emphatic victory. It was not to be as a spirited and vociferous full house got behind their team and Wales responded superbly.

They forced South Africa onto the back foot and won a penalty in the 55th minute, which Hook knocked over to reduce the deficit to 20-6.

Three minutes later the Springboks were penalised for slowing the ball down and Hook struck again to make it 20-9.

Sin-binned

On the hour mark Francois Steyn replaced Jacobs, Jaque Fourie came on for Habana, and Ricky Januarie took over from Du Preez. Fourie had been on the field for not much more than a minute when he was sin binned for slowing the ball down.

Hook again punished South Africa on the scoreboard, making the score 20-12.

When the Boks finally got their hands on the ball they came close to scoring a third try, but Smit was penalised for holding onto it on the ground and a good attack came to nought.

Smit was replaced by Brian Mujati after 66 minutes with a cut to his face.

Fifth penalty

With 10 minutes to go Hook slotted his fourth penalty and Wales' fifth after referee Alain Rolland penalised SA for entering a ruck from the side. With the gap between the teams down to only five points, a try would level matters for Wales and a converted try would win them the game.

Peel missed an opportunity for a try when he knocked on close to the South African tryline as the Welsh turned the screws, but the SA defence held firm.

With time almost up, the Dragons won a final penalty and set up a lineout in the South African 22-metre area. Juan Smith stole the throw-in, however, and Pienaar cleared to touch to ensure the Springboks began their tour with a win.

Post-match comments

After the match, Springbok captain John Smit said he felt the match had gone well, but he bemoaned his side's defensive approach once they had taken a comfortable 17-point lead in the second half.

He admitted that the Boks had suffered a bit of fright, given Wales' spirited fightback, but he was happy to record a third win over Wales in 2008.