As they took a stroll previous Cardiff Citadel on Thursday lunchtime, iconic South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and his hulking Springbok team-mates Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman stood out like sore thumbs amid town centre revellers dressed to the nines.
Wales’ capital was already packed by noon for Beaujolais Day – an occasion celebrated throughout France to mark the arrival of the primary bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau – however one additionally now mimicked in Cardiff and Swansea. The wine was flowing by late morning. Any excuse.
Warren Gatland and his Wales gamers might properly want a stiff drink themselves after taking up the back-to-back world champions on Saturday. Gatland’s future has dominated the build-up. Saturday will likely be his 149th sport as Wales head coach throughout two spells and a doubtlessly heavy defeat may imply it’s his final. 149 and out for Gatland? It’s wanting that means.
With the prospect of a twelfth successive Welsh Take a look at defeat near inevitable, Gatland’s place as head coach is hanging by a thread.
If Wales had hoped Kolisi and Co may need let their eye off the ball forward of their final sport of the season and been tempted by a glass of pink, they have been left disillusioned.
‘Good to see you once more,’ stated Kolisi on Friday, welcoming Mail Sport together with his common vice-like handshake and trademark smile. ‘I’ve advised you earlier than, I feel.
Warren Gatland is below large stress after seeing his aspect lose 11 straight matches
Wales captain Dewi Lake (pictured) is aware of one other loss this weekend may spell the tip for Gatland (proper)
‘I don’t drink alcohol. I stop in 2018! Was it not regular on Thursday? I simply thought it was a traditional day for Cardiff! We have been lacking the braai, so we went to Nando’s and performed putt putt (loopy golf). Golf just isn’t my sport – I had eight photographs on one gap!’
Within the midst of the worst run of kind in Welsh historical past, what Gatland’s staff don’t want is a totally centered and firing Springboks aspect arriving at Principality Stadium.
Frankly, this sport has the potential to show ugly.
Whether or not or not the Welsh Rugby Union will determine to vary Gatland stays unclear at this stage. A post-autumn overview will happen. There are monetary and contractual concerns which can kind a central a part of the decision-making course of.
Gatland this week defiantly stated he’d had no indication he’d be transferring on. Nevertheless, that will properly change within the coming weeks. The truth is that any coach who has misplaced 11 straight matches (which is prone to turn out to be 12) goes to be below critical stress.
‘I’m not too burdened for them,’ stated Kolisi of Wales. ‘I positively really feel for them. I do know they’ll get out of it. If anybody can get them out of it, it’s coach Gatland.
‘I’ve not seen a Welsh staff with so many younger gamers. It takes time. They’re taking part in numerous video games that can give them expertise.’
The standard Kolisi was by no means going to stay the knife into what are already gaping Welsh wounds. However the actuality is Wales and South Africa couldn’t be additional aside proper now.
The Springboks have gained the final two World Cups, are comfortably the sport’s No 1 ranked aspect, and have enviable power in depth with a rugby system designed for achievement.
Siya Kolisi has insisted South Africa won’t be overlooking Wales which might be unhealthy information for Gatland’s staff
Wales, against this, are in disarray on and off the sector. Their rugby surroundings is struggling badly in any respect ranges. Gatland’s males haven’t gained since September 2023. Their rating is 11.
A Springbok victory on Saturday would imply Wales going all the calendar 12 months with out successful a Take a look at, one thing which has not occurred since 1937.
How rapidly issues can change. Solely two years in the past, below Wayne Pivac’s steering, Wales beat South Africa in their very own yard. They need to have gained that Take a look at sequence 2-0.
5 or 6 years in the past, Welsh victories over the Springboks weren’t solely hoped for by the nation’s supporters, however anticipated. Now, issues couldn’t be extra completely different.
Many take into account Gatland’s place to already be untenable. But when his younger Wales aspect, which is understandably struggling badly for kind and confidence, are routed on Saturday – as is fully potential – then the WRU will certainly don’t have any different alternative than to interchange him.
Wales have gifted gamers who’re working laborious.
However they’ve been let down by the system round them. Welsh rugby’s mismanagement has set the nationwide staff as much as fail. It isn’t all Gatland’s fault.
‘It issues an enormous quantity to us to play for Wales,’ stated lock Will Rowlands. ‘Whenever you lose any sport, notably if you really feel you haven’t given the perfect account of yourselves, you are feeling you will have let down yourselves, the general public, and the entire group. It’s a horrible feeling.
‘Gats is an excellent man and he has completed a fantastic job for Wales.
Wales lock Will Rowlands is determined to finish his aspect’s shedding run after admitting shedding 11 matches on the trot has given the staff ‘a horrible feeling’
‘It’s a brutal scenario for everybody to be in. Sport is all the time a rollercoaster and typically there are extra ups than downs. We’re in one of many down durations. Originally of the autumn, we talked concerning the three video games and focusing on not less than two wins.
‘We haven’t delivered on that, however the final sport will be actually vital, consequence apart. It’s about giving the perfect efficiency we probably can.
‘I’ve full perception that if we play properly, we are able to beat South Africa. However having a great efficiency will give us one thing to construct on transferring ahead. I hope that in powerful instances, it’s when robust characters are made. I’ve acquired confidence within the group that would be the case.’
You may’t fault Wales’ endeavour. However Saturday guarantees to be a more-than-tough day on the workplace. A crowd of circa 60,000 is predicted. They might see the tip of an period.
