Mike Ruddock completed part three of his baptism of fire as Wales coach, knowing just how much of a challenge he has to
build a side capable of consistently competing at international level.
Strewn of a core of first choice players Wales were always going to struggle, Brent Cockbain and Michael Owens' late
withdrawals were massive blows, replacement lock Deniol Jones only lasted fifteen minutes before Deniol Jones in only second appearance limped
off.
After an early deluge Wales looked to have weathered the storm, with a Henson penalty from just shy of the half way line
to cancel out an earlier Bok score.
However in open play Henson was to prove a liability with his boot, failing to find touch on several occasions, gifting
South Africa countless attacking opportunities. In fairness though, Henson was struggling with a niggly groin strain through out.
First captain John Smit went over for the home side, after Jaco van der Westhuyzen had been held up just short.
Following a brief rest bite Wales found themselves defending time and time again, against a constant tidal wave of South African pressure,
Kiwi referee Steve Walsh was more than happy to penalise Wales at the ruck, albeit fairly harshly.
Walsh seemed far too whistle happy in my mind, had he allowed play to go on following a rare Welsh surge into the home
sides twenty-two, a Shane Williams effort capitalising on Percy Montgomery's fumble of Nicky Robinsons' well placed kick through, would have
stood. Instead another Henson effort reduced the deficit back to four points, only for Montgomery to restore it back to seven.
The sheer difference in physicality between either side was highlighted perfectly by giant lock Victor Matfield who at
six foot six and eighteen stone, still had the pace and vision to brush aside Gethin Jenkins before sending wing Brent Russell over. Nicky
Robinsons failure to find touch, this time costing Wales dear.
Another gigantic back five forward was responsible for setting up the try that probably put the Boks' out of sight, just
before the interval. After the ball was spilt just inside the Welsh twenty two, Jaque Cronje and Shalk Burger combined in midfield, showing
enough composure to allow Breyton Paulse oceans of space down the right and shake off a timid Henson tackle, with Montgomery converting again.
Ceri Sweeney replaced a bruised Nicky Robinson, to resume his stint at outside half. New Dragons' acquisition certainly
injected a new cutting edge, but lacked composure - possibly even trying to hard as he looked to regain his spot as second choice number ten
behind Stephen Jones.
The second half began in similar fashion to the first, with Wales trying desperately not to let the floodgates open,
resisting several Bok attacks. When number eight Alix Popham was stretchered off you knew it just wasn't going to be Wales's day. Popham was
lucky to escape as easily as he did, after the match had been held up for several minutes.
Huw Bennett-who played as a back row at school level was a seemingly natural choice in place of Popham, though
alternatively six foot three Mike Phillips' could have been used. A dubious forward looking pass split the Welsh defence, one which had been
living on the edge for a good percentage of the match - leaving Wayne Julies with a simple run in.
Wales looked to Duncan Jones and Darren Morris to add extra oomph up front, but found themselves back behind the posts
staring a possible sixty or seventy point score line in the face.
Ceri Sweeney did however waste a golden chance, offloading a pass to Bretyon Paulse with the try line begging. This did
however herald a rare period of respite defensively for Wales. Dwayne Peel kept up his never say die attitude behind a well defeated pack, and
took advantage of concerted pressure on the bok line, to receive a Huw Bennett offload and cross over to make it 39-13 with a quarter of an
hour remaining.
Even the faintest hopes of a respectable score line were put to bed, following a well taken effort from Bok replacement
scrum half Bolla Conradie.
Darren Morris was to go off injured, allowing Adam Jones to return to the fray with just three minutes remaining.
More Springbok pressure saw Shalk Burger power over, yet it was Shane Williams who was to the final say, ironically
after the final hooter Williams finally got a chance to stretch his legs, being worked in the left hand corner. Henson pulled the resulting
conversion wide.
Wales were lucky to escape so easily, considering the missed tackle count they could have been in for even greater
hiding.
Ruddock will try not dwell on that performance too greatly, hopefully in the Autumn Wales will prove a far tougher
proposition with their big guns back, as fresh as ever.
Officials:
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
South Africa (29) 53
Tries: Smit, Russell 2, Paulse, Julies, Conradie, Burger
Cons: Montgomery 6
Pens: Montgomery 2
Wales (6) 18
Tries: Peel, S Williams
Con: Henson
Pens: Henson 2
