Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: South Africa come up trumps against Wales in Cardiff

Monday, June 07, 2010

South Africa come up trumps against Wales in Cardiff

South Africa hung on to beat Wales 34-31 at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday after a late comeback from the hosts gave them hopes of achieving only their second ever win over the Springboks.

South Africa fielded a side that contained a mix of youth and experience as they tested their depth in this once off fixture that had them flying players in for the game as late as Thursday. Ultimately, the strength in depth showed as they managed to hold off Wales with a side that is very different to that which will start in the Tri Nations.

Wales started off well, but squandered a 16-3 lead as the visitors slowly but surely got themselves back into the game thanks to some good kicking by Ruan Pienaar, and tries by Odwa Ndungane, Dewald Potgieter and Juan De Jongh.

They got to that lead after captain John Smit fancied himself as a flyhalf and couldn’t decide whether to put in a chip kick or a long pass. In the end the long pass was picked off by the, as always, highly impressive Welshman James Hook.

"It was a schoolboy error," Smit said afterwards. "I could hardly go behind the posts and tell the boys to toughen up. I asked Victor to have a word."

Debutant De Jongh was smashed by Jamie Roberts early in the game, but soldiered on to put in a notable performance for such a youngster. His centre partner Jaque Fourie praised Wales for the way they started the game.

"We knew it would be hard and physical, but we got a shock in the first 20 minutes," Fourie said. "We did not panic and went back to basics. Wales have some excellent combinations in their team and they will be dangerous in the World Cup."

With ten minutes left in the game South Africa were 31-19 up but the Welsh came back after relentless pressure and some good hands resulted in a nice try to youngster Tom Prydie. Zane Kirchner then came on for Francois Steyn and his first touch of the ball spilt free for Lee Halfpenny to pounce, leading to the late try for Alun Wyn Jones.

Wales fly off to New Zealand on Wednesday for what should be an even sterner challenge as they face two Tests against the number one ranked team in the world.

Time: 08:02

1st agen

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 9:11 am
Has the Welsh player been cited for that vicious head high at 2:06? Much worse that Dan Carter's tackles last year.

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 9:32 am
Er, he was diving in all fairness. And considering Ndungane had injured ribs, I don't think there's much to complain about.

Great game of rugby. Boks looking strong and confident despite the make shift side.

The build up for the Potgieter try was excellent. Good to see mr Toulon playing well for his country again.

By Benson, at June 07, 2010 9:47 am
Good game of rugby, much better than what I expected given quite a few Springboks would probably rather have been elsewhere.

Thought Ricky Januarie especially had his best game for quite a while, but overall very encouraging viewing for us Bok supporters. A number of players who aren't first choices showed some good form.

By Edbok, at June 07, 2010 10:05 am
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By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 11:11 am
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By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 11:13 am
God its frustrating to be a Welsh fan, entertaining game but christ we need to sort it out!

By David, at June 07, 2010 11:48 am
both Wales consolation tries looked to feature suspiciously forward passes....

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 11:57 am
Simply not good enough. We got into a 16-3 lead against a team still gelling and then proceeded to play like headless chickens for the next 40.

Paul James, Deiniol Jones and Jonathan Thomas were passengers yesterday. Only Davies and Rees were effective carriers and Adam Jones and Warbuton did all our clearing out.

Once again we were taught a lesson at the breakdown, by 2 up and coming but not first choice players. I think our breakdown skills are the worst in the top 10 rugby nations, simply far, far too poor.

People will talk about the great comeback, but when you are 16-3 up, a comeback should not be necessary.

Unfortunately, with Warbuton out with a broken jaw and Lydiate injured, Powell and Williams injured, we are going to be stuck with JT and RJ, a rookie in McCusker and a never was Gavin Thomas.

Don't worry about us getting lose to the All Blacks; the last three tests we have played against them in NZ the average score has been something like 50-5, so I am pretty much tired of this tour before it has even started.

By Gareth, at June 07, 2010 12:05 pm
Seemed like a pretty good game for the neutral to watch with plenty of scores...Was this actually the case or are the HLs misleading in that aspect?

By themull, at June 07, 2010 12:15 pm
potgieter had a great game!

By Cheis, at June 07, 2010 12:36 pm
poor game from wales overall, just throwing away the lead. great spirit from SA mind.
also, juan de jongh (?) is only a year younger than jamie roberts.
And prydie on the wing has played about 5 minutes this season of professional rugby and he's 18. Very much a young Welsh squad..

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 12:39 pm
now wales have lost tight games against france 2009, ireland 09, new zealand 09, england 2010, france 10 and south africa 2010.

All entertaining games but if they just sorted out their set-piece and defence (Gavin Henson back) they are going to carry on losing

I think Warburton broke his jaw in that first collision and will miss the nz tour. REALLY SAD for him and wales.

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 12:40 pm
In Juan de Jong SA has a bright new center that can step.

Danie R keeps on impressing me with his power and offloads in the tackle.

By Wessel, at June 07, 2010 12:41 pm
is it true that wales passed up a kickable penalty in the last minute?

By Leeners93, at June 07, 2010 1:14 pm
i love you bokke!

By doos, at June 07, 2010 1:17 pm
If south africa has a population of over 50 mil and are good using just white players - whats going to happen when they use black ones as well which they are starting to do now :\ they have enormous strenght in depth

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 1:17 pm
Danie Rossouw is getting a lot of praise, but is it just me who gets nervous he's going to cough up the ball each time he goes into contact?

Definitely twice early on in the game on Saturday he lost possession, although he obviously more than made up for it later on. Just seems to me he needs to be a bit more secure because otherwise he will be a target for turn-overs.

By edbok, at June 07, 2010 1:52 pm
Lets be honest. Good game but the Saffas were playing away from home with about 1/2 their starters missing....and they still won comfortably.

By jpm, at June 07, 2010 3:06 pm
Winning by 3 points is comfortable?

By RedYeti, at June 07, 2010 3:09 pm
^^^^^
Yes

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 3:41 pm
@Leeners:
Kickable probably not. It was more or less on midway right at the sideline. That would have been about 60m on the angle. So I reckon that it was the right choice, not to try that kick.

And yes, it was enjoyable to watch from a neutral point of view.

By Ben, at June 07, 2010 3:42 pm
Good for the neutral alright even though both teams were missing some big names.

By Third Centre, at June 07, 2010 3:47 pm
We've lost too many players to be able to compete in NZ now.

By WelshOsprey, at June 07, 2010 3:58 pm
tom prydie has played more minutes for wales than he has for the ospreys, what the hell is gatland basing his selection on?

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 4:01 pm
^ He has done pretty well though, in fairness.

By FrankyH, at June 07, 2010 4:07 pm
Close one, though, eh?

James Hook is a great player. Glad Wales found a way to keep him on somewhere instead of at 10.

By fla, at June 07, 2010 5:25 pm
Wales can rarely put out a "full" side (and this game was no different), a small nation with little strength in depth.

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 6:16 pm
The Welsh guys shouldn't say anything until they actually win. Makes then look like muppets and gives the teams they play against some serious fuel.

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 6:32 pm
I do agree with an anonymous comment I read. Wales is a team that has been able to give serious headaches to their opponents, but somehow they aren't able to win big matches, which would be much more probable if Gavin Henson came back!
Say whatever you want, but he is super talented: he scores, passes, and tackles in a way that most can't. And a player like him inspires the rest of his mates, anyone would like to have such a guy standing in your side, your oponents would fear you, ask Tait(great player too).

SA is in very good shape too, they're launching nice players, just look at the Super 14.

By Super Tuga, at June 07, 2010 7:24 pm
I agree, Super Tuga...Henson is sort of like the Welsh Quade Cooper. A total cockbag, and I'd really like to just hate the guy, but he's a great rugby player, so I find it hard not to admire that at least.

By falafel, at June 07, 2010 7:58 pm
I was certainly worried coming into the game from a SA perspective. loads of new uncapped or second choices and knowing how well Wales "can" play. Te first 20 minutes or so made want to cry and a massive mistake from a legend like John Smit!!!! but the come back and domination in the second half was well worth it!! u gotta love Bokke amazing game!!! bring the fire boys!

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 8:29 pm
Next week test against france should be interesting, a great clash between two heavyweights

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 9:41 pm
Burger-Spies-Smith... Louw-Vermeulen-Potgieter... terrific lol...

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 10:16 pm
As much as Gavin Henson is amazing, I still think Hook is awesome, and is a real asset to Wales

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 10:52 pm
Louw, Potgeiter, Aplon and De Jongh are outstanding.

By Anonymous, at June 07, 2010 11:11 pm
To those of you who saw the whole game, how did Hook go? I quite like his rugby but he had a couple of shocking games...

By Gman, at June 08, 2010 2:53 am
Whilst i dont like the second comment by an anonymous, who is obviously trying to get a rise, i dont like the tackle at 2:06 it didnt look good...i mean, there wasnt much of an option for the welshman, but it was not a 'legal' looking tackle...

I didnt like mike phillips shouting 'sir sir' and pointing as SA turned it over....For crying out loud man, you are a scrum half, get in there and fight for the ball....

I got part way through the comments and got pissed off already....There are so many simple minded fuckers on this site....If SA lose a game it will never be fair, SA nearly lost this, but ofcourse there is some sort of reason for that, it couldnt be good welsh play, ofcourse SA is just the golden ring piece of rugby that can do no wrong....

Guys well and truly FUCK OFF....you have your little inflated egos which everyone including myself is very tired of...SA ofcourse had a very nice comeback, but you act as if it was a whitewash of some sort... you are all kidding yourselves...and really as i stand (a British home nation supporter) i actually couldnt give a damn who wins the world cup as long as SA come no where near winning it again....

(but ofcourse thats because someone was banned or injured or this or that!)

By (u-p)rick, at June 08, 2010 3:01 am
(u-p)rick, I don't think it's just the saffas that pull that card. Every non-neutral supporter seems to pull out some excuse for why their side didn't win and why, on any other day, they'd win - if they just had the right players, with the right referee making the right calls.

But of course, that never happens, so people moan and groan. Whatever, that's life.

Watching the match, I was surprised at how easy SA scored their tries. Now, either the Welsh defence was light, or SA just made it look easy.

I felt like Wales really just kind of resigned themselves to the loss during the last few minutes. Hook nabbed one drop goal in the first half; I wonder why he didn't go for one at the end? I guess they were 40m out, so he never really got the chance. Either way, he was pretty class the whole match.

Ruan Pienaar also had a surprisingly good match for how he sometimes plays in the Springbok jersey....

By avery, at June 08, 2010 3:50 am
WHERE WERE HABANA AND SHALK BURGER??

By USA7, at June 08, 2010 3:50 am
To the angry commenter couple posts above me. I know what you mean, personally I don't the Boks to win another world cup just cause I don't like Burger, but you can't say only Springbok supporters give excuses for losing. Any sports fan will give reasons initially for losing. "Damn the bloody ref, he was blind", or their players were cheating, we were tired, whatever.

You can always find an excuse for any team, and just about every fan of every nationality does that some time in their lives. Well played to the Boks, I can congratulate you on this one. And to Wales, thank you for doing what you always do which is make the game entertaining by making a ridiculous come back in the last 10 minutes.

By Rowan DeBues, at June 08, 2010 4:24 am
As a neutral I just want good rugby, and this SA team is def. the place to find it nowadays, it's quite legendary w/ strength from 1 to 15. Only NZ comes close, and France on a good day. Can't see anyone else winning next year, either.

Saffers are very arrogant, but I would be as well with this team. Loads of physicality, leadership, skill and experience.

Best rugby in the world, face it.

By Anonymous, at June 08, 2010 7:11 am
This was a patchwork side from the Saffers, away from home and they still won.
The Home Nations have no hope of beating SH teams.
Funny how the only players who were poor for South Africa were guys who have been playing in the slow, pedestrian, low skill European leagues.
Steyn and Van Niekerk were shit, they've lost it since going up north.
Steyn in particular has detiorated rapidly.

By Tom, at June 08, 2010 8:52 am
rugby is YOUR choice ...? (as long as you can choose)

By Anonymous, at June 08, 2010 9:16 am
Spoken like a true douchebag, Tom.

By red, at June 08, 2010 9:26 am
tom SA were destroyed the last time they were in the NH so choose ur words better u bell-end

By Anonymous, at June 08, 2010 9:35 am
Not all us saffas are arogant douche bags but I must admit there are a few by the looks of this site. Win graciously gentlemen and stop giving us bad names!!!

Saying that I do like watching wales play. They play a good style of rugby and deserve a SH scalp soon. Just hope its the All Blacks but unlikely in NZ home soil.

By Jay, at June 08, 2010 9:46 am
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By Anonymous, at June 08, 2010 10:20 am
What's the deal? We aren't arrogant, we're just proud. We have to overcome so much, the government is always in the Springboks way. Look what they're doing to the Beast at the moment, the man has played 22 times for his country and now he can't anymore. We also have to have some players in the team that just aren't up to scratch. (Ricky Januarie, selected because of color) It's fact that we have a quota, and yet we still are the best.

I know when you're at the top everyone wants to knock you down but guys, please let's just enjoy the good rugby South Africa is producing. They have dominated the Super 14 3 years out of 4 and have pretty much every single trophy there is to win.

This was a real B side that played Wales, most of the guys there were actually deserving. You can't compare this side to the rubbish that played the NH club sides last year. That side was filled with undeserved politically selected players.

Again, I'll strain that it isn't arrogance, it may come off that way to the jealous fans but please.

Why can't you love us like the All Blacks were loved for so many years? We can be exotic too, look at Habana.

By Digi, at June 08, 2010 10:36 am
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By Anonymous, at June 08, 2010 10:39 am
To those having a go at ALL south africans, let's not forget it only takes a handful of determined idiotic individuals from any country to post completely ridiculous comments on here, repeatedly.

As a regular, I feel that that is the case 100% whenever I see those staunch, bias views. They give other saffas a bad name and I personally wish they would realise it.

Being that they are generally c*cks though, they dont see that, and don't actually care.

Please don't judge a country or it's people based on comments on the internet, particularly on comment boards like this where anonymity is easy. It's a small percentage of knobs and they don't deserve the attention they get.

By FrankyH, at June 08, 2010 12:51 pm
Well said Franky.

Re. the game, well done the Boks, the better team on the day won it. Nice composure from De Jong (sp?) for his try.

By Mike, at June 08, 2010 1:57 pm
Guys, there is a difference, e.g SA beat England 35-30

England fans come on and say 'ah damn, shame we didnt have x and shame we didnt have y, so many injuries, well done anyway SA'

England beats SA 35-30

SA fans would say 'Ah the ref was ridiculous, and we had loads of injuries, it was a one off, we dont care it didnt count for anything, we won the world cup!'

And seriously deny that, honestly!

And the fact SA actually won this match is even more ridiculous!!! there were 'whitewash' comments, then there are 'we had loads of injuries and we still won' etc....

Its ridiculous, and quite sad, you have nothing to do with it....it wasnt YOU that won anything....so to act as if it was 'us' and 'we' is even more ridiculous....

and JUST to sum it all up read Toms comment, what prize c*nt!

By (u-p)rick, at June 08, 2010 3:12 pm
You prick, you're a bit slow. Re-read what I said about trolls (although I didn't actually SAY that word).

Just take a look at some of the comments on the facebook page and you'll see that it's the same douche's that post comments over and over. Like, 5 of them or so. I guarantee those are the same ones here.

And believe me, when SA goes down, which will happen, whoever is next at the top of the ladder will come across just as arrogant. It's bound to happen. The Irish were fairly mouthy on here until recently too.. That's not a dig at them, just an observation - they obviously also have a few pathetic trolls.

By FrankyH, at June 08, 2010 3:26 pm
Regarding (u-p)rick and Tom's comments:

The SA coach on SA as a patchwork side:

"Springboks Coach Pieter de Villiers said: "Any coach would always want more time with his players to prepare for a Test match but we knew what we had, we put our priorities in order and I thought we did a good job."

De Villiers added: "We were very pleased how all of those went."

"We don't simply give out the colours, they all earned their stripes by playing well throughout the Super 14 season.

"This was a just reward for them and we are in a very favourable position to have that sort of strength in depth for the future."
- http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/globalrugbynews.asp?id=26183

The SA coach on the impact of playing in Europe:

"De Villiers pointed out how Steyn's game had gone into decline since he moved to France at the press conference where he axed the Metro fullback and Toulon captain Joe van Niekerk from his squad to face France this weekend.

"I've noticed that when our players go to play for overseas clubs their play tends to slow down somewhat, and is also the case with Steyn," De Villiers told the media on Monday.

"I'm worried about him. When he left here he was the best in the world. I don't think that is the case now. We've had a long chat about it."

De Villiers ignored the fact that players from Europe were coming to the end of a long and arduous season when commenting that the players from up north were visibly off the pace during the Wales game."
- http://www.sarugby.com/news/News/article/sid=13709.html

By Anonymous, at June 08, 2010 4:34 pm
i thought the springboks has edge allblacks in the irb rankings.

By Anonymous, at June 08, 2010 6:52 pm
@ (U-P)rick dont hate appreciate!
Just a joke I also hate all the arrogant South Africans posting on here but everybody does it when their team wins. And lets face it we also had a number of starters left out dew to injury. So under the circumstances it was a good win for us against a good side. I didnt see any whitewash comments on here maybe they were deleted, but to say that is ridiculous. Goodluck on your tour to NZ (anyone will nedd luck play them being a home or away game)
BTW: I´m sure you also say we won when Wales win ,if not you should its shows pride in your team.

By Scarlet Beast, at June 08, 2010 7:11 pm
D'you really think SA is producing an exciting game to watch?

Personnaly I wouldn't say that, but it remains my point of view.

And despite the fact Wales has some rucks issues, I invite you to watch cardiff blues against harlequins in the Heineken Cup. If I'm not wrong it is the same ref, and he also has some issues with rucks. And I think NH will have some problems with SH rules because they're not used to it. And I'm pretty sure NH supporters will be complaining a lot about the ref...

I'm neutral but like exciting game plans, not as restrictive as SA, sorry.

By Anonymous, at June 08, 2010 7:33 pm
^ Aaw so who's got an exciting gameplan then, Fiji, who got thumped by 50? More SA negativity. It's tough at the top.

By Benson, at June 08, 2010 7:38 pm
At the top there's first NZ.

By Anonymous, at June 08, 2010 7:44 pm
Franky, ok i was being a bit generalising there, i realise its a few people, but it doesnt bode well when other SA fans dont disagree much....

....you prick... XD

By (u-p)rick, at June 08, 2010 8:43 pm
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By Anonymous, at June 09, 2010 4:01 am
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By Anonymous, at June 09, 2010 4:05 am
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By Anonymous, at June 09, 2010 6:38 am
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By Anonymous, at June 09, 2010 8:22 am
It's always Anonymous people spouting rubbish. Pick a name to use and maybe your comments will get kept up and you can engage in adult discussion.

I was impressed with Bardley Davis. I've not seen a Welshman carry the ball like that in a long time.

By Easy as pie, at June 09, 2010 10:44 am
To Gareth: Dont sweat about it - our second or third string loose forwards are would probably make the first team in any otehr country. We are blessed with talent at 6,7 & 8.

Someone said SA won comfortably and I would more or less agree only in terms of the fact that Kircnhers balls up at the end let Wales back in the game. Both Kirchners and Smits silly mistakes cost SA hugely, and considering it was to large extents 2nd and 3rd choice players playing who havent played much together I´d say that it went rather well.

Juan de Jongh, Dewalt Potgieter were outstanding, Francois Louw put in loads of hard work that went unnoticed and Aplon did well too. MOTM to Danie Rossouw and old Ricky Januarie did some good work on his comeback game.

The EOYT last year was a nasty blemish on the Bok sheet for last year and we´ll see if they can get teh grand slam at the end of this one.

By Jacques, at June 09, 2010 10:57 am
is it just me and one person watching from the sidelines who noticed the blatant knock on at 3 mins?

Go back to 2.55 and watch it for 15 seconds. There is a knock on at the base of the ruck, an done person shouts those exact words.

It led directly to a try.

By mise, at June 10, 2010 1:39 am
mise...

Good call! Definitely dropped forward.

By Jeff, at June 11, 2010 8:04 am