Wales vs South Africa player ratings: Wyn Jones goes out in style but Gareth Davies schooled by Faf de Klerk
IT WASN’T to be the fairytale ending for outgoing Wales coach Warren Gatland, as his side were edged 19-16 by South Africa in the second World Cup semi-final of the weekend.
It was all set up for Gatland’s 12 year tenure to end with an Anglo-Welsh final in Yokohama next Saturday.
Instead, it’ll be a rather less appetising encounter with New Zealand as the pair doing battle for third place will bring down the curtain on Gatland’s reign.
It will disappoint the 56-year-old that despite coming close on the scoreboard, his side failed to properly land a glove on the Springboks.
SunSport’s Phil Cadden runs the rule over each of Wales’ disappointed stars.
LEIGH HALFPENNY – 6
Started in place of injured Liam Williams. Unnecessary collision with Gareth Davies early on but otherwise solid at the back of the field.
GEORGE NORTH – 6
One promising early break. Forced to defend for most of the first half and then suffered a game-ending injury chasing a Dan Biggar cross kick. Replaced by Owen Watkin.
JONATHAN DAVIES – 6
Battled a knee problem to start the game. Had very little attacking chances as the game was dominated by kicking but did give the simple pass for Josh Adams’ try. It was some effort for him to even play the 80 minutes.
HADLEIGH PARKES – 7
Like Davies he has been banged up for weeks now with hand and shoulder issues. Defied them to go toe-to-toe with Damian de Allende in a crunch battle. Never backed down and deserves a rest.
JOSH ADAMS – 8
A handful of excellent defensive reads in the first half and then finished off second-half try to go to leading scorer for the World Cup with six.
DAN BIGGAR – 7
Kicked his goals superbly including one from wide out. A ferocious competitor he never gave up and did well in the air. Made way for Rhys Patchell as Wales chased a comeback.
GARETH DAVIES – 4
Led Wales out on his 50th cap. Given a lesson in box kicking by Faf de Klerk and was too slow at the base even if the contact area in front of him was a car crash. Replaced by Tomos Williams.
WYN JONES – 7
A huge test for him at scrum time and he did well enough in that area. Wales did cough up a couple of penalties, but Jones can be proud of his efforts.
KEN OWENS – 8
Crashed into giant South African tacklers time and time again even though he often found himself flying backwards. Relentless work rate and tidy set-piece. Looked gutted to be substituted late on.
TOMAS FRANCIS – 6
Went low to tackle Duane Vermeulen at end of first half and came off worse. Walked from the field but had to be replaced by Dillon Lewis. Had done a decent enough job at scrum time till that point.
JAKE BALL – 7
Picked a fight with Faf de Klerk such was the South African scrum-half’s influence on the game. Emptied the tank against mammoth opposition.
ALUN WYN JONES – 8
Wales’ titanic skipper worked himself into the ground. Carried relentlessly but his dream of World Cup glory in what will be his last tournament is over.
AARON WAINWRIGHT – 7
The 22-year-old was taking on a giant Springbok back-row. He started like an express train by chasing kicks and tackling low. Tired and didn’t last the 80 though he is a supreme talent.
JUSTIN TIPURIC – 7
Penalised for not rolling away in the first half. Could not have done much about it as he was trapped by other players. A huge line-out option and is a superb all-round talent. Has finally emerged from the shadows as a genuine star.
ROSS MORIARTY – 8
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Dropped one restart and was wiped out by Pieter-Steph du Toit in the air. The South Afrian could have been carded. Moriarty dusted himself off to go the full 80 and never shied away from contact as he showed enormous physicality and no little character.
REPLACEMENTS
Lewis 7 (for Francis 36), Watkin 5 (for North 40), T Williams 7 (for G Davies 48), Carre 7 (for W Jones 55), Patchell 7 (for Biggar 59), Beard 6 (for Ball 60), Shingler 6 (for Wainwright 69), Dee 5 (for Owens 73)
SOUTH AFRICA
Le Roux 6 (Steyn 69,6); Nkosi 6, Am 6, De Allende 8, Mapimpi 5; Pollard 8, De Klerk 9; Mtawarira 6 (Kitschoff 48,7), Mbonambi 6 (Marx 48,7), Malherbe 6 (Koch 48,7), Etzebeth 6 (Snyman 53,7), De Jager 7 (Mostert 58,7), Kolisi (capt) 7 (Louw 69,6), Du Toit 7, Vermeulen 8.
Replacement not used: H Jantjies