South Africa VS Wales

[mike-o-l]

Die Bokke played well. Really impressed with Adi Jacobs, got a few good line breaks, should his attacking talent. PDV did well for his first game, with both Bekker and Janties playing superbly while taking the role of Matfield and Monty. James kicked well, used his head. Bolle played well especially after side stepping Stoddart. Wales did well did limit Chavanga and Habana's chances. Wales lacked a bit of discipline and had far to many unforced errors. Considering that there was a serious lack in expiranced partnerships, The Boks played Well.

 

[Steve-o]

It was nice to see Luke Watson play his natural game in a Bok jersey, I'd even say relatively quiet by his standards, he proved Jake White wrong today.

 

[shtove]

Very impressed by SA - don't know about the selection policy and all that hoopla - but they simply have good strong players who understand the game and play it well.

Very disappointed by Wales. You wouldn't know that was a Gatland team. Sure, you can lose big game players, but the teamwork had no stamp of authority about it. Thank God for little Shane - the only bright spark. And what the f was Ryan Jones doing with the penalty just before half time? Stupid - not a good leader.

Taking the bits of the Ireland match that I saw as well, it's back to business as usual: SH > NH.

 

[Cymro]

Played South Africa and deserved the win!

I aint seen much of the game due to cricketing commitments today but ive seen clips etc and have to say that the Welsh were young school children who were bullied by the Big Boks!

I dont care how poor the ref was, Pearson is poor end of story but we cannot blame it on him!

Wales lost the game at the breakdown to many turnovers which killed the Welsh team. The pack looks utter shite, Dafydd Jones a major culprit! Cooper looks a waste of space and Roberts looked a shade of his form this season for the Blues!

I wont watch the game highlights because I could not stand to see Wales play so poorly! But saying that I will watch it to see how good South Africa played, because I know they played immense!

I would have hated to be in that changing room after the game with Edwards! I could imagine the hair dryer treatment would have been used!

Wales need to change and change fast! Take out the shite Dafydd Jones - replace with Delve, Fury should start over Cooper! Wales have alot to do for next weeks game!

 

[danny]

That was always going to happen IMO.Wales were outclassed upfront and at the breakdown all day. The Boks just looked bigger and stronger. With the Grand sham, sorry Grand Slam a distant memory hopefully we can get some perspective back as to the true merits of not only Welsh rugby but northern hemispere rugby. Looking forward to hearing Loratines comments on the game. I trust his nerves have now subsided and he will sleep well tonight.

 

[wlshby09]

Next week I would go with Shane Williams at 9. Cooper is poor, dont really know much about Fury. Stick Jamie Roberts on the wing, Stoddart in at 15 (although he got stood up twice which lead to tries). The whole SA team craps themselves whenever Shane touches the ball, (much like we do whenever Habana see's it), so get him closer to the ball and it should give us better go-forward. Just a thought anyway

 

[Macsen]

Sob. Wales disappointed me, and South Africa did more than they did in the World Cup to convince me that they are World Champions.

The Wales that won the Grand Slam were a great team. Today just showed how much we're lacking strength in depth, a problem a nation of 2.5m people is always bound to face. I'm one of those 2.5m, which puts us at an extra disadvantage.

But mark my words South Africa, when the Home Nations combine, Voltron-style, next year we'll rip you a new one.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Next week I would go with Shane Williams at 9. Cooper is poor, dont really know much about Fury. Stick Jamie Roberts on the wing, Stoddart in at 15 (although he got stood up twice which lead to tries). The whole SA team craps themselves whenever Shane touches the ball, (much like we do whenever Habana see's it), so get him closer to the ball and it should give us better go-forward. Just a thought anyway
[/b]

Oh Jesus Christ no, Stoddart can't defend to save his life! He got nowhere near Montgomery for his try or the scrum half in the try before that. Woeful, as he is a superb attacking threat.

 

[loratadine]

south africa out played us, much deserved victory. dissapointed obviously but if you play as sloppily as that against the world champs then you deserve your ass handed to you, only positve was richie hibbard rumbling with a few saffas lol and of course shane williams... this guy is not only one of the best wingers in europe... hes one of the best in the world... full stop.

but congrats south africa (Y)

 

[errlloyd]

Somebody Requested this, quality isn't great. I know its not avatar sized, I can fix it on request. Its also 2 mb, amazingly nearly the same size as the program that made it.

 

[Gay-Guy]

Wow South Africa really showed why they are the world champions!



The tri-nations this year will be one of the best in ages!!!!

South Africa = World Cup Champions and Number 1 ranked side.

NZ = SANZAR dominance with most Super Rugby and Tri-Nations ***les.

Australia = Robbie Deans the Super Coach training a team with more talent than any Crusaders squad ever.



Ireland won't win against the Aussies next week. England will unfortunately see a much stronger AB performance next week. Scotland will be dreaming if they think they can beat Argentina in Buenos Aires next week....hey should have taken their chances in rosario. Finally to cap it off Wales will improve with less mistakes but S.A is now on a winning roll of victorious tests starting from last year and have gotten into the victory expectation mode type of confidence that comes with triumphs.

 

[KZNSharksFan]

I like shane williams, but really, stop shooting your load over that try. I'm a slow lock, and even i could beat Habana coming across field at full pace with a simple change of direction. That wasnt much compared to what the tiny ******* williams has done in the past

 

[Prestwick]

Josh Lewsey of +10 de Villiers bane would have made it...

 

[Steve-o]

Indeed GG, the Tri-Nations is gonna be a thriller this year. Could be the best in years.
Some reports were right, PdV used this Test match to experiment for Tri-nations preparation, I haven't seen Percy play outside center since the 90's and he was there for a good 30+ minutes. This team only had 5 of the 15 players who played in the WC final last year (including 2 player's debuts), so there's more to come from the Boks, especially in the Tri-nations.
Mujati didn't do well,. yes it's his debut but a certain Heinke vd Merwe who has one cap more would of done better, even out of his position at tighthead.
But Bekker! He played well, look very comfortable. He showed up a much more experienced lock.

I'm looking forward to see what team PdV picks for next weekend. No doubt he'll experiment again, hopefully give BEAST!!!, Kankowski and Steyn a start. The atmosphere and intensity will be higher in Pretoria, they don't call it Fortress Loftus for nothing.

 

[Gay-Guy]

Yep....I mean honestly....what the hell are Wales gonna think when KANKOWSKI is unleashed on them! NZ does not have a player who can contain Kankowski...they have to have the entire pack focussing on giving him no room...Thorne stopping him close and Kaino stopping him wide. Wales will think Collins and Soioalo were easy to tackle after they get to play against Kankowski. Hopefully someone like Shane Williams will break an arm or leg of Kankowski because I am not looking forward to him playing against NZ at all this year and bringing back memories of that Stormers loosie from the 90's who used to terrorise us.

 

[Prestwick]

I have absolutely idea if you're being serious or not, but its hilarious as hell.

 

[Gay-Guy]

Yes...its true....NZ has at times been terrorized by players from other countries.....we just pretend we never are...

 

[Prestwick]

Yup, even terrorised by a living god back in 2003!

 

[silent_shadow]

Indeed GG, the Tri-Nations is gonna be a thriller this year. Could be the best in years.
Some reports were right, PdV used this Test match to experiment for Tri-nations preparation, I haven't seen Percy play outside center since the 90's and he was there for a good 30+ minutes. This team only had 5 of the 15 players who played in the WC final last year (including 2 player's debuts), so there's more to come from the Boks, especially in the Tri-nations.
Mujati didn't do well,. yes it's his debut but a certain Heinke vd Merwe who has one cap more would of done better, even out of his position at tighthead.
But Bekker! He played well, look very comfortable. He showed up a much more experienced lock.

I'm looking forward to see what team PdV picks for next weekend. No doubt he'll experiment again, hopefully give BEAST!!!, Kankowski and Steyn a start. The atmosphere and intensity will be higher in Pretoria, they don't call it Fortress Loftus for nothing. [/b]

Where must Steyn start? I'm still not totally sure of Jacobs, but he had a good game yesterday.
The biggest concern for me is if Januarie's playing. Bolla played well yesterday so he at least deserve a spot on the bench. But Pienaar also played well when he came on. So will he be dropped for Januarie or will PdV keep the scrummies as is?
Mujati had a shaky start in the scrums. But what more do you expect from a young tighthead on debut. He got settles quickly and he'll only improve the more games he plays. I still think he should've been brought off the bench. Bekker was brilliant in the line outs and at defense. He had a few handling errors, otherwise a solid game. It's good to know we have a replacement for when Matfield retires.
Danie Rossouw didn't really do much and I'd still like to see Kankowski in his place.

The best thing about this game was Percy's try. That blonde streak of lightning gave me the biggest fright! Who knew he still had that much pace left? The pass wasn't even meant for him but he timed it perfectly. I think Grant was actually meant to go instead of Percy, but he played well nonetheless.
Oh and I expect both teams to play better next week. Wales will be trying to prove a point after playing badly yesterday and the boks will be getting used to the new combinations and getting into their rhythm.

 

[Prestwick]

If Steyn would stop acting like a hyperactive nutter I would pick him as well. In the World Cup there were multiple cases of him trying way too hard and biting off way more than he could chew. Admirable stuff but he needs to remember that theres fourteen other green shirts out on the field there.

He'll stick in my mind for two things: one, the superb DGs against Australia and two, him completely going mad against Fiji and trying to take a long line out in his own 22 to a poor fellow Bok standing in try area. Thankfully, common sense prevailed and the ref brought it back but its moments of madness like them which cost games.

Thankfully, Smit told him to calm the hell down and he was back to his usual self afterwards.