The Springboks’ miserable rugby year had a fitting end on Saturday, with a severely depleted team losing 27-13 to Wales 27-13 to complete a clean sweep of Test defeats on their European tour.
» Re-live all the action with our live blog
» Has time run out for Allister Coetzee?
Leigh Halfpenny’s five penalties and second-half tries by forwards Ken Owens and Justin Tipuric sealed a third straight win for the Welsh, having beaten Argentina and Japan over the last two weekends to rectify a series that started so poorly with a thrashing by Australia.
South Africa’s only try was scored late by flanker Uzair Cassiem in a rare attack by the visitors at Principality Stadium.
Successive losses to England, Italy, and now Wales left South Africa with a record of eight losses in its last nine Test matches.
A review soon to be undertaken by SA Rugby could lead to coach Allister Coetzee losing his job after just a year in charge.
“It’s embarrassing for us,” said Springboks captain Adriaan Strauss, who was playing in his final international game.
“We’ve got passionate supporters and we’ve let them down.”
All the wash-up from Ireland vs Wallabies:
» LORD: Grand Slam gone, Mumm must follow
» Match report: Ireland victorious, 27-24
» Five talking points from the match
» What changes should Australia make for England
» Vote on our DIY player ratings
» Re-live the match with our live blog
» WATCH all the highlights from the match
It wasn’t unexpected to see such an error-strewn performance from a Springboks team thrown together by Coetzee following the humiliation of losing to Italy for the first time last weekend.
Seven changes were made to the starting lineup, with high-profile backs Bryan Habana, Willie le Roux and Pat Lambie losing their places.
South Africa fielded its most inexperienced backline in 22 years, owning just 40 caps, and it showed: Wales’ try-line wasn’t close to being breached until Cassiem’s try in the 70th minute.
With Halfpenny’s kicking keeping the scoreboard ticking over, the Welsh were in control at 12-6 at halftime and pulled clear by scoring 10 points early in the second half when South Africa made one sloppy error after another.
There was a penalty almost immediately from kick-off when Wales was deep in its own half.
Then came scrum-half Francois de Klerk’s yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, which was punished by another Halfpenny penalty.
Lock Lood de Jager then spilled the ball carelessly, the Welsh kicked for an attacking lineout, and a catch-and-drive ended with Owens peeling off to barrel over for a try.
Despite rarely getting into Wales’ 22, South Africa somehow was still in the game with 10 minutes left after Cassiem barged over following an attacking maul.
However, Tipuric ensured there would be no improbable comeback, bursting through the defensive line before sidestepping fullback Johan Goosen and diving over before Halfpenny converted to finish with 17 points.
SA Rugby announced immediately after the final whistle that there would be an “overhaul of SA Rugby administration” to go with the already-announced review process after what president Mark Alexander said had been a “profoundly disappointing” season for the Springboks.
davSA
Guest
We don't need a friggin review to know what's wrong with SA rugby. Those conducting the review are only trying to achieve the same outcome in a different way.. Here's what's wrong. 1. Quotas in coaching staff . Completely out of their depth. 2. Quotas on the field . See Above. 3. Quotas in administration. See above. 4. Player drain overseas. Disillusioned with quota system. 5.. Political interference . See E.P Kings 6. Weak Rand . Wont blame anyone here. 7. No central contracting system. See point 3 8. Callous , rude and arrogant disregard of real rugby supporters feelings and views. We have a deep suspicion (not without foundation) that rugby is being deliberately destroyed for political ends. Read Biltongbeks comments for more insight.This has to be addressed openly and decisively to prove to us us that its not true. Simply calling us racists and telling us to shut up or leave for Australia etc.is not going to cut it. 9. A minister of sport who cannot spell the word rugby as conductor of the bizarre orchestra. 10. Complete lack of proper and meaningful development programmes. Quotas are a lazy way to try and go about transforming the sport. 11. A total lack of understanding of the cultural importance of rugby to especially Afrikaners. Now please save the money to be spent on a review SARU because those conducting the review are the problem in the first place.
CUW
Guest
pity it clashed with England Pumas. saw a little bit where the saffer scrum half was sent to the bin.
Dreadly
Guest
Gotta feel for the South African supporters. From World Cup semi finalists to a victory-less autumn tour only 12 months later. Surely this must be rock bottom?