ADRIAN WARNER, Cardiff | Saturday 9.00pm.
WALES pulled off one of the biggest shocks in international rugby in recent years when they beat world champions South Africa 29-19 on Saturday.
It was their first victory over the South Africans and it came appropriately in a match played to mark the opening of the Millennium stadium, the venue of this year’s World Cup final.
A well-taken first half try by centre Mark Taylor and another after the break by right winger Gareth Thomas plus five penalties and two conversions from the boot of prolific goal-kicker Neil Jenkins ensured the Welsh their first victory in 13 encounters since 1906.
This time last year the Springboks handed the Welsh a then record 96-13 thrashing in Pretoria. But Wales have become a completely different side under their New Zealand coach Graham Henry.
But this time the visitors looked rattled and were generally unable to respond to some superb and determined tackling, although they did manage second half tries from Werner Swanepoel and fullback Percy Montgomery.
Jenkins punished some South African indiscipline by coolly slotting over four out of five penalties before the break, one of them from 45 metres. Braam van Straaten replied with two penalties but the Welsh moved towards their historic victory in injury time of the first half when Jenkins gave the ball to Taylor on the Springbok 22 metre line and the Swansea player weaved through the defence to score near the posts.
Jenkins converted to give the Welsh a 19-6 lead at halftime.
South Africa came out of the break with some new purpose and in the 49th minute Swanepoel dived on a loose ball to score. But van Straaten missed the conversion and then the Welsh took control in the 65th minute when Jenkins slipped the ball to Thomas on the touchline and the winger raced over in the corner.
Montgomery scored four minutes from the end to narrow the scoreline but the Welsh hung on.
Springbok coach Nick Mallett said: ”Today there were no excuses. We were comprehensively outplayed in the first half and gave away too many penalties. The second half was better but by then it was too late.”
Skipper Gary Teichmann said: ”The team that came to Pretoria was not even comparable with this one. The World Cup is going to be very unpredictable.” — Reuters