The skies over Cardiff had been gray from very first thing on Saturday morning and the driving rain solely let up within the hours earlier than kick-off.
The climate mirrored the temper in Welsh rugby – bleak. Inside Principality Stadium, the enduring venue’s roof was shut to maintain Wales’ loyal and passionate followers from the weather.
However the ambiance was equally grim, regardless of the onlookers placing on a courageous face.
It’s now 12 successive worldwide defeats for Warren Gatland’s Wales. After a winless autumn, the Welsh Rugby Union will within the coming weeks maintain a overview into Gatland’s place as head coach, which on the face of issues, appears to be like to be untenable.
There’s, nevertheless, no assure Gatland will transfer on. The WRU’s overview will embrace unbiased rugby consultants.
Primarily based on purely sporting evaluation, absolutely probably the most inevitable conclusion is that Wales want a training change. This was one more powerful afternoon. It was, for all Wales’ plucky battle, males towards boys.
Wales suffered their twelfth defeat in a row after they had been thumped 45-12 by South Africa
It was a chastening day for the Dragons, who had been outclassed and outpowered in Cardiff
One other heavy defeat has put additional strain on the already under-fire Warren Gatland
A complete seven-try victory for South Africa, the back-to-back world champions, was no shock.
However the clear gulf in school between the 2 sides when it comes to physicality and rugby high quality confirmed how far Wales have fallen behind rugby’s elite.
Wales are hoping their overview into the efficiency of Gatland’s facet – in addition to a brand new settlement with their 4 skilled sides – will likely be accomplished earlier than Christmas.
It implies that a call on Gatland’s future won’t come instantly, however realistically by the center of December. It’s understood that any determination to maneuver on from Gatland – if that’s the path of journey taken – won’t be hindered by monetary components.
Gatland has indicated his eagerness to remain, though one wonders whether or not the extreme criticism he has taken this month could have modified his thoughts.
The one saving grace for these of a Welsh persuasion was this outcome wasn’t fairly as unhealthy as their 96-13 defeat by South Africa in 1998 which stays the nation’s report loss.
Wales’ beginning worth of twenty-two/1 confirmed simply how up towards it Gatland’s males had been. They usually weren’t helped by two late withdrawals on the eve of kick-off.
Prop Gareth Thomas and wing Tom Rogers stepped away from obligation because of sickness and a calf damage. Nicky Smith and Josh Hathaway had been promoted to begin.
A complete seven-try victory for South Africa on Saturday night time was no shock
The clear gulf in school between the 2 sides when it comes to physicality and rugby high quality confirmed how far Wales have fallen behind rugby’s elite over latest occasions
The WRU paid tribute to misplaced former gamers earlier than kick-off, the group cheering loudly when the face of the legendary and fearless JPR Williams appeared on the massive display.
How Wales might have accomplished with the expertise and never-say-die perspective of the good Williams right here. Welsh rugby may be in hassle in the present day. However its’ patriotism stays. The house anthem was delivered with gusto.
Captain Dewi Lake led the best way after which thundered into Franco Mostert. But it surely wasn’t lengthy earlier than the sample of play anticipated pre-match got here to fruition.
First, participant of the match Mostert thundered over after Wales’ defence parted just like the crimson sea. Then, his fellow big lock Eben Etzebeth made it two after South Africa ran again a Wales kick via Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Wales had been 19-0 down after 20 minutes, Arendse the person with the third. It was one-way site visitors, South Africa having 76 per cent possession and 70 per cent territory after the opening quarter.
Wales’ effort couldn’t be query. However their eagerness noticed them concede penalties for offside. The Springboks aren’t a staff to offer any assist to. Solely sensible defence from Hathaway and Blair Murray stopped what regarded like being a sure attempt for Springbok Aphelele Fassi.
The large Etzebeth limped off. Respite for Wales? On got here the arguably even greater RG Snyman. Frankly, all of it appeared a bit of unfair.
South Africa’s accuracy wasn’t complete. Captain Siya Kolisi’s effort was dominated out for a knock on by Jaden Hendrikse. Nonetheless, from the ensuing scrum, South Africa despatched the Wales pack into orbit and Elrigh Louw crashed over to attain.
The Welsh Rugby Union will within the coming weeks maintain a overview into Gatland’s (centre) place as head coach, which on the face of issues, appears to be like to be untenable after one other defeat
The one saving grace for these of a Welsh persuasion was that this outcome wasn’t fairly as unhealthy as their 96-13 defeat by South Africa in 1998 which stays the nation’s report loss
Wales had been struggling, however the actuality was it might have been far worse had South Africa been on it totally. Simply earlier than the break, Wales’ first concerted assault led to Rio Dyer ending expertly. Dyer confirmed very good pace. The roof practically got here of the place.
Wales had been monstered bodily within the opening 40. They’d needed to deal with themselves into the bottom simply to remain inside 20 factors.
Younger prop Archie Griffin limped off after being destroyed at one scrum. Wales’ coronary heart couldn’t be questioned. They stored going. However a key attacking line-out went mistaken. And Fassi went straight up the opposite finish and scored.
The mix of South Africa’s uncooked energy and the dancing toes of Cheslin Kolbe and Arendse is a devastating mixture.
Gerhard Steenekamp, a part of South Africa’s ‘bomb squad’ of ahead replacements, grabbed their sixth from shut vary. On the bench, Lake’s head was in his arms.
Hathaway, who had been dealt some powerful classes in defence towards the sport’s finest facet, then picked up Springbok chief Kolisi with an enormous deal with. It summed up Wales’ endeavour. That’s one thing the upcoming overview can construct on.
However success in worldwide rugby is about way over sheer battle. Within the dying embers and with the sport lengthy since over as a contest, the Welsh crowd broke right into a Mexican Wave.
It wasn’t way back that Wales’ supporters anticipated to beat South Africa. Now, issues couldn’t be extra totally different. Welsh rugby has a protracted technique to go.
Jordan Hendrikse, who ended with 15 factors, accomplished the rout and though the valiant James Botham ensured it was Wales who ended the scoring, these accountable for the WRU overview may have a lot to ponder as they appear to the longer term. Solely time will inform if Gatland will likely be part of it.
