Despite a jittery performance the Springboks eventually ran out comfortable 53-18 victors over the touring Welsh in a rugby Test at Loftus in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon. The Boks led 27-6 at halftime.
It was not an entirely convincing display from Jake White’s charges ahead of more pressing engagements against New Zealand and Australia in next month’s Tri-Nations series.
The Boks scored seven tries to two and their line was only really troubled twice throughout the 80 minutes. The win also completed a clean sweep of home victories for South Africa after the two wins over Ireland in previous weekends.
The star performers for SA were fullback Percy Montgomery, who slotted eight out of nine kicks at goal and showed impressive composure at the back.
Scrumhalf Fourie du Preez also had a fine game, while the veteran prop Os du Randt stole the show with a number of crunching tackles and tireless work in the loose. Du Randt is fast regaining legendary status among Bok fans, with the 43 920 strong crowd chanting ”Os! Os! Os!” each time the big man brought down a man in red.
The Cheetahs strongman was deservedly, and much to the delight of the fans, voted man-of-the-match. Left wing Brent Russell scored two of his team’s tries, showing impressive speed with both, while his work on defence was also imposing.
But, despite having a short pep talk from former President Nelson Mandela in the change room before kick-off, the Boks got off to a shaky start.
Although they dominated the territory and possession early on, the home team found themselves behind after just six minutes when Welsh fullback Gavin Henson slotted a long-range penalty.
Du Preez and fullback Montgomery had gone on early breaks to thrill the curiously empty stands, but those runs only flattered to deceive as the Boks fussed and fumbled for much of the opening 10 minutes.
The normally steady lineouts were again slick, while lock Victor Matfield helped steal a succession of Welsh ball, but still that hard- earned custody was frittered away too often to build any real momentum.
Incredibly, with all the possession each time the Boks looked like gaining some measure of ascendancy the ball was inexplicably coughed up.
Even a sniping break from flyhalf Jaco van der Westhuyzen to set up captain John Smit for the game’s first try in the 13th minute failed to ignite the home fires. Continual knock-ons, turnovers and wrong options continued to plague South Africa as the Welsh swamped them on defence and looked dangerous with ball in hand.
Montgomery kicked two more penalties, while Henson succeeded with one to give the Boks a 13-6 lead after a quarter of the match.
With Du Preez putting in a polished performance at the base of the scrum and making several yards around the fringes, the home team began to thrive. And two wonderfully crafted tries gave the Boks a healthy lead at the break.
The first came courtesy of a scything break by Matfield, who cut a swat through the Welsh defence before feeding a flying Brent Russell who went round behind the poles on 29 minutes.
Then Breyton Paulse, who seems to have returned to his best, received a long pass from outside centre Marius Joubert and, with plenty of work still to do, cut in past several despairing defenders to score in the shadow of halftime.
The second half started badly with a serious injury to Welsh No 8 Alix Popham and his departure saw the Boks scamper in for two quick tries via Wayne Julies and Russell with his second.
But the game had deteriorated somewhat as the cohesion from both teams was lacking.
White made a number of substitutions around the hour mark that also contributed, bur did see Hanyani Shimange get his first Bok cap — at flank ironically — and the Cronje brothers become the first sibling pair to represent the Boks at Loftus.
Wales though did get through for a try by scrumhalf Dwayne Peel with 15 minutes remaining, but the home team finished strongest with further five-pointers from replacement No 9 Bolla Conradie and the ever- present Schalk Burger.
Burger’s try in the 78th minute brought up the half century for South Africa. Welsh left wing Shane Williams scored a consolation effort after the final hooter had already sounded to make the final scoreline slightly more respectable.
Points-scorers:
Springboks 53 (27): Tries: John Smit, Brent Russell (2), Breyton Paulse, Wayne Julies, Bolla Conradie, Schalk Burger. Conversions: Percy Montgomery (6). Penalties: Montgomery (2).
Wales 18 (6): Tries: Dwayne Peel, Shane Williams. Conversions: Gavin Henson (1). Penalties: Henson (2). – Sapa