ROB DAVIES, Johannesburg | Saturday 7.30pm.
THE South African rugby side on Saturday came close to an embarrassing defeat when they beat an incredibly spirited Welsh side 28-20 at Wembley Stadium in London.
The Springboks looked completely out of depth against the full-strength Welsh side, drilled to perfection by former Auckland Blues coach Graham Henry. The Boks, despite coach Nick Mallett’s warning, looked complacent going into the match, and soon paid their dues as a committed and fiercely determined Welsh side gave them all but the kitchen sink.
The red-jerseyed Welshmen took no time at all to dominate, doing so for at least 60 minutes of the match, and cashed in their chips in the 9th minute when huge right wing Gareth Thomas scored in the corner.
From there on it was 20 minutes before the Springboks sniffed anything resembling the ball. If, in fact, the first 30 minutes were played in switched jerseys, one would have believed that it was the Welsh, and not the Springbok side that could be capable of such insipid play.
Welsh centre Scott Gibbs played a blinder and was ruthless in defence, and former All Black Shane Howarth, playing fullback, was easily the most impressive player on the park.
The South African backline on the other hand looked outclassed and their handling was shocking, Franco Smith at inside centre had a terrible game, and one wonders when Percy Montgomery will stay on the boil for longer than 20 minutes.
The Springbok fullback did not play well, and I for one was expecting Gaffie du Toit to take Montgomery’s shirt in the second half.
It is certain that fingers will be pointed to Australian referee Stuart Dickenson. In my mind, however, Dickinson displayed a thorough knowledge of the rules, and while he was very quick to implement the rules and award penalties, the fault cannot be found in his interpretation.
The South Africans were awarded a penalty try in the 33rd minute after a five-yard scrum in front of the Welsh line wheeled and Jonathan Humphreys popped out of the front row. Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen then scored a brilliantly worked try after receiving from winger Pieter Rossouw, who sliced sweetly through a gap in the Welsh defence.
Flanker Andre Venter scored South Africa’s final try in the dying moments of the game after some sterling play by van der Westhuizen.
The Welsh were, however, undoubtedly the best side on the park and it Henry has done an exceptional job coaching a side which, come Five Nations time, will be a force to be reckoned with. The only thing that Henry needs to do is to keep his men focused for the entire 80 minutes, if the Welsh can master that they will do very well indeed.
The Bok win was expected, but enough praise cannot be heaped upon the Welsh for running the match this close. A truly spirited performance for a team written off before the starting whistle.
The Quinnell brothers, Scott and Craig, Gibbs, Thomas, flyhalf Neil Jenkins and scrumhalf Rob Howley played out their Celtic hearts to herald a new future for the team that showed that fighting spirit and guts can accomplish the unexpected.
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