Wales bashed by 'Boks
South Africa showed just why they are the world champions with a 34-12 defeat of Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Last Updated: 25/11/07 12:15pm
South Africa showed just why they are the world champions with a 34-12 defeat of Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
The Springboks scored five tries to overwhelm their hosts and give outgoing coach Jake White a perfect send-off in his final Test in charge.
With nine of the 15 who had started on that glorious night against England in Paris in South Africa's first XV, Wales were always facing a tall order.
Caretaker coach Nigel Davies recalled Gavin Henson for his first, and last, game in charge before New Zealander Warren Gatland takes over.
The home side certainly gave their all in search of a second ever win over South Africa, though for all their territorial advantage they lacked a cutting edge.
Clinical
In contrast, the Springboks looked capable of scoring at will behind their strong pack which was such a key to their World Cup success.
After Francois Steyn had booted an early penalty through the smoke from the pre-game fireworks, Juan Smit dived over for the first of three tries before half time.
Jaque Fourie then helped himself to a quick-fire double, the first coming in the right corner as he was left with a simple run -in.
His second was even easier, a set move from a line-out seeing him canter over without a Wales defender laying a finger on him.
Fly-half Andre Pretorius was on target with two of his three conversion attempts and it appeared a rout could be on the cards.
Wales did at least manage to salvage some pride and get on the scoreboard before the break when Colin Charvis crossed from close range.
Morgan Stoddart's grubber kick was too hot for two South African defenders, allowing the full-back to gather in and although he was held up just short, the flanker arrived to get the ball over the line and score his 22nd international try.
James Hook, who had earlier missed the simplest of penalties from in front of the posts, was off target with the conversion to leave the score 22-5 in the visitors' favour at half time.
Early score
The late try had at least given the home fans a glimmer of hope of a famous comeback, although that long shot was a non-runner only four minutes into the second half when Bryan Habana set-up fellow winger JP Pietersen.
To their credit, Wales continued to keep the ball alive, their positive approach paying off when Albert van den Berg was sent to the sin-bin for illegally stopping one attack next to the posts.
The extra man led to a try for full-back Stoddart in the right corner as he leapt up to claim Hook's clever up-and-under out wide and grounded the ball before hitting the touchline.
However, South Africa - who finished with 14 men due to Bismarck du Plessis' late yellow card - insisted in having the last word, debutant Ryan Kankowski scoring as Wales were caught short out wide.
While White now gets ready for his swansong against the Barbarians next weekend, Wales await the arrival of new man Gatland, who will already be planning for the Six Nations at the start of next year.
