Springboks do enough to beat Wales and take the series
South Africa stuttered to a 37-21 victory over the Six Nations Champions at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria on Saturday. The win means that the Boks take the series 2-0, but were their own worst enemies as the Welsh defended stoutly and refused to let them repeat their exploits of the week prior.
Early tries from Jean De Villiers and Ricky Januarie had it looking like we’d see another rout from the home side, but Wales came back nicely with a stunning try by scrum half Gareth Cooper after some quick thinking at the front of the lineout.
The first twenty minutes of the game saw South Africa experimenting with an expansive game that saw some intricate backline moves and very little structure, exactly what won them the World Cup last year. It didn’t work and it was clear to see that they’d need to change tactics if they wanted to secure the win, with the turning point in the match being Cooper’s try.
The gutsy Welsh defence, who only conceded two tries during the entire Six Nations campaign, was as strong as ever, and a far more difficult nut to crack this week than last.
The brilliance of Shane Williams, (and a lovely kick ahead for him by Bakkies Botha!) put Wales in the lead after 32 minutes. Williams scooped up the loose ball with ease, then shot down the left wing with four would-be defenders ahead of him. He darted inside, then out, dazzling them with his speed and proven finishing ability from open play to score a memorable Welsh try, adding to his prolific try scoring ratio.
It wasn't enough though, as the Boks brought on fresh replacements in the second half, which brought with them added impetus and control. Another close range try for De Villiers, some good kicking by ever impressive flyhalf Butch James, and a late try from Bismarck Du Plessis all meant that it was job done, and a successful series win for new coach Peter De Villiers.
PLEASE NOTE: This video has been removed by Mediazone, who own the rights to the footage and no longer allow us to use it. Apologies from our side.
Early tries from Jean De Villiers and Ricky Januarie had it looking like we’d see another rout from the home side, but Wales came back nicely with a stunning try by scrum half Gareth Cooper after some quick thinking at the front of the lineout.
The first twenty minutes of the game saw South Africa experimenting with an expansive game that saw some intricate backline moves and very little structure, exactly what won them the World Cup last year. It didn’t work and it was clear to see that they’d need to change tactics if they wanted to secure the win, with the turning point in the match being Cooper’s try.
The gutsy Welsh defence, who only conceded two tries during the entire Six Nations campaign, was as strong as ever, and a far more difficult nut to crack this week than last.
The brilliance of Shane Williams, (and a lovely kick ahead for him by Bakkies Botha!) put Wales in the lead after 32 minutes. Williams scooped up the loose ball with ease, then shot down the left wing with four would-be defenders ahead of him. He darted inside, then out, dazzling them with his speed and proven finishing ability from open play to score a memorable Welsh try, adding to his prolific try scoring ratio.
It wasn't enough though, as the Boks brought on fresh replacements in the second half, which brought with them added impetus and control. Another close range try for De Villiers, some good kicking by ever impressive flyhalf Butch James, and a late try from Bismarck Du Plessis all meant that it was job done, and a successful series win for new coach Peter De Villiers.
PLEASE NOTE: This video has been removed by Mediazone, who own the rights to the footage and no longer allow us to use it. Apologies from our side.
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South Africa overpower Wales 43-17
End of year tour - Boks vs Wales
Time: 07:19
South Africa overpower Wales 43-17
End of year tour - Boks vs Wales
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41 Comments:
I hate to compliment the Welsh as much as the next Englishman, but I could watch that Shane Williams try all day long.
Chris
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 1:58 pm
two of the SA tries should not have been aloud. that could have had an effect on the end result.
Scoreline flattered SA a bit I think.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 1:58 pm
Much better effort from the team, dont mind losing as long as we play well. Now to turn them over in Cardiff.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 2:09 pm
Shane has done it again! Best winger in the world! Owned Habana last weekend in the one on one!
By Hunter, at June 15, 2008 2:15 pm
As much as a cunt I think Shane Williams is, he is some player, absolutely brilliant.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 2:16 pm
May I be the first Norwegian to comment on RD? Well then, was it Clerc that said the first time he saw Shane Williams, the latter got a bit drunk and silly at a banquet and the French all sniggered amongst them and said "he's going nowhere"? What an astomishing try, I get giddy with anticipation every time he picks up a ball.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 2:16 pm
the score line was a bit flattering for the boks. what a nail biter! we certainly did ourselves justice.
Shane williams is a god. and yeah all the haters can go fuck themselves...
Great game springboks, we got some pride back. your Coach is a real gentleman.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 2:28 pm
If only stephen jones got his penalty kicks... The score really flattered the Boks.
P.S I thought jamie Roberts and James Hook were good out of position.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 2:32 pm
Flattering scoreline for the Boks, those last few mins with the SA replacements and the altitude were to much for Wales.
Great game to watch, and Shanes try was awesome.
I think Wales has a great chance in their upcoming games, the boks at home could see them victors, and aus too.
Just need to keep injuries down.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 2:40 pm
David, in one sentence you tell people they can f*ck themselves then the next you speak about someone being a gentleman.. Have some class man - kids view this site too. Keep it clean.
Same for Richard.. although I totally agree with what he's saying.. Well done Shane Williams for his great try, but more importantly well done to the Boks, who scored 4 tries on the day and despite a 'flattering scoreline', were never really going to lose that one.
Being in the game after 60 mins is not quite the same as winning now is it. Wales need less Jones and more Williams. :)
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 2:50 pm
Shaney boy did it again
chavanga's an amazing player at S14 level but it my eyes looked clumsy yesterday
wheres breyton paulse these days??
Shane THIS SEASON is without a doubt the best winger in the world
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 2:56 pm
O.k. I suppose it was a bit much, but I thought there was some sort of filter to block the 'bad' words.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 3:21 pm
If you have an irrational hatred for shane williams, then yeah.
otherwise don't take it to heart.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 3:39 pm
Welsh tries are amazing...
Shane williams is probably one of the best wing in the world (and i'm french !)
Nevertheless South Africa is just... fantastic !!
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 3:51 pm
Fantastic performance from the South African's 16th man, the kick ahead from Botha was offside but it's not like he let the other kajilion infringements get in the way of the game either.
I think he'll still be playing South African advantage come Christmas eve.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 4:07 pm
no one probably cares but lets be honest, the 2nd south African try was not a good offload by smit it was playing on the floor, and the quick tap try was taken with around five SA players in front of the man with the ball. in my opinion SA took 14 points from that game they did not really score, ref should go back t under 16's Saturday leuges.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 4:51 pm
Wales so unlucky looked a great game. I agree Williams is simply world class possibly the best around curently. Any chance of highlights from scots v argentina we scored 2 tries which is the equivalent of any other team scoring 10!!!!! First win in argentina well done boys
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 5:15 pm
Great game!!!!
hope in the autumn both teams have less injuries particularly wales
i thought shane was amazing again
and hook at fullback looked sharp
well done S.A
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 5:28 pm
did Tom James get a run around?
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 5:45 pm
Let me guess, the refs were perfect in the Six Nations?? Must have been - when you win you don't notice the ref, but lose and that's the excuse. Funny that.
Interestingly though, people moan about the ELV's being a lottery at the breakdown, but I thought both Nigel Owens (nz/eng game) & Lyndron Bray pretty much flipped a coin with their decisions. Really confusing for the majority of rugby lovers out there. IMO anyway.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 6:51 pm
South Africa do enough to beat Wales - score 37-21
New Zealand punish England - score 37-20
hmm 1 point can make a big difference even if you lose it seems.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 7:14 pm
good point jack. bad decisions by the ref went both ways - high tackle on habana should ve been a yellow. wales uped their game and williams played well, but come on there are 14 other welsh players on the field- aren't there?!! SA all the way
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 7:22 pm
juan smith is the man!!
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 8:11 pm
i think tom james got like 6 mins at the end
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 10:44 pm
The Williams try was phenomenal...he has such brilliant balance and acceleraion...made our defenders look like they were bolted to the ground.
Cooper try was also very good...Gatland clearly done his homework on our defensive patterns and worked out Habana would be out of position but quite why Smit lifts in those lineouts leaving the entire 5m area unguarded ALL the way to the try line is beyond me...???
Couple high Welsh tackles went un-warned which should at least have been penalties...
Can't wait for Schalk to be fit...Watson and his selection is always a hot topic - he's done o.k but to be competitive in the Tri-Nations we need a fetcher to match McCaw and Smith.
Thought the Boks looks paniced at times but PDV clearly has intentions to make us play more running expansive ruggers...his selection says this also which is exciting - just can't wait to see if we can make this click because Chavanga and Habana in space means one thing...TRY TIME!!!
Well said Cheis...Juan is a rock...thought Spies looked average yesterday what do you reckon?
By durrie, at June 15, 2008 10:51 pm
Haha well spotted Jack, but two different games with different performances, so you can't really compare them, despite the similarities in scores.
By Anonymous, at June 15, 2008 11:14 pm
Did Any one else notice when Ricky Januarie scored he looked as if he was going to hit the ball up high ala Jason RObinson but then he just nuged it a bit.
By Anonymous, at June 16, 2008 6:50 am
The boys done us proud in this game, much better effort than the 1st test, shame about the scoreline.
We would have lost the game anyway but the ref was terrible it has to be said. Especially when we'd just got in front in the 2nd half and straight from the restart a south african pushed one of our players into the ruck which made it look like he went in from an offside position, and the boks had a penalty!! WTF??? Advantages were played for far too long also.
I guess though as someone said earlier you do notice them a lot more when you lose. Having said that there did seem to be too many things to notice.
Well done to the Boks though, excelent team, especially impressed with De Villiers. Seems to like scoring against us. Well done to our boys too, good effort.
By Anonymous, at June 16, 2008 10:20 am
Just to clarify, what are the rules for the ref getting in the way? The commentators didn't seem too bothered, but I thought it looked like Jones could have stopped that try if he wasn't blocked?
Confused...
By Anonymous, at June 16, 2008 10:24 pm
lol Gatland was pretty pissed too his explanation was
"i've spoken to stephen and he's been told that next time he should just smash the ref out of his way"
By Anonymous, at June 17, 2008 12:22 am
'The brilliance of Shane Williams, (and a lovely kick ahead for him by Bakkies Botha!)'
It's ironic that the cheating that the South Africans did so well in that game resulted in an awesome try.
By Anonymous, at June 26, 2008 10:55 pm
Why is it always Anonymous posters who say the stupidest things. ^
'The cheating South Africans' ?? Wtf. Sounds like a sore loser to me.
By Anonymous, at June 27, 2008 7:30 pm
lol look at al these wale suporters you lost cuz your not in the same class as the south africans
By Anonymous, at July 04, 2008 5:33 am
hahaha smash the ref comment made me laugh
By Anonymous, at July 12, 2008 4:29 am
"lol look at al these wale suporters you lost cuz your not in the same class as the south africans"
Well your clearly talking out of your arse, both of our tries were really classy and we were leading in this game at one point. Springboks showed why they are the champs by closing us down really well. but there is no need for such arrogance.
and we brought a second string team and still managed to make a fight of it.
By Anonymous, at July 14, 2008 3:06 pm
good on sa bringing the welsh back to earth with a bang
By Anonymous, at July 21, 2008 2:52 pm
Shane is on top form at the moment amd i think hes better than Habana but only just. I agree with Benson...keep it clean chaps!
By Anonymous, at July 22, 2008 6:12 pm
shane williams is over rated so badly tuqiri and habana are currently the best in world rugby
By Anonymous, at August 06, 2008 9:00 pm
guy above me
1st of all tuquiri is a bum
and secondly what the hell more has shane williams gotta do to be 'respected'?
Hes achieved waaay more than habana and Ooo habana is a god cos hes really quick
it makes me sick when people say hes the best winger in the world and its especially bad when people say hes the best PLAYER in the world
Shane was the best winger of 2008 simple as that
By Anonymous, at August 14, 2008 5:37 am
rugby world cup stats
note habana played 3 more matches
Shane Williams Bryan Habana
4 Matches 7
10 Total Tackles 25
1 Total Misses 5
41 Total Carries 33
417 Total Metres 519
15 Total Passes 5
6 Tries scored 8
19 Defenders beaten 9
5 Clean Breaks 6
11 Turnover Conceded 7
By Anonymous, at August 27, 2008 10:35 pm
anonymous fool above me, that is hilarious, every time shane williams has met lote tuquiri he's turned him inside out, he met Habana and made him look equally foolish, in 2 matches when the supposed "greatest winger ever" Habana, was practically invisible.
what does williams have to do. faster, stronger, more dangerous than any of em and he's 31 :D
By Anonymous, at September 11, 2008 5:43 pm
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