Jenkins sent off in bitter battle

South Africa 40

Wales 11

THE Springboks danced out at Ellis Park yesterday for what was supposed to be a carnival-style celebration of their World Cup triumph, but once they had proved their pre-eminence and demolished Wales they were faced with the realities of their new professional world.

This was not a mild-tempered game and long before Garin Jenkins had thrown out a punch and been sent from the field - the sixth Welsh player ever to be dismissed - Kobus Wiese, the South African lock, had perpetrated another act of violence for which he is likely to pay - literally. Wiese floored Derwyn Jones with a punch to the back of the head and, though the act was not seen by the referee or touch judges, he was cited afterwards by the Welsh management. A disciplinary committee convened immediately and pronounced 30-day bans for Wiese and Jenkins. Where Wiese will feel more of a pinch, though, is in the wording of his Springbok contract which contains a code of conduct, and it is possible that he will be fined. As Edward Griffiths, the Sarfu chief executive, said afterwards, "Professionalism doesn't only imply being paid, but implies high standards of conduct too."

The early departure of Jones - who awoke from Wiese's blow in the dressing- room - was a setback for Wales who took the lead with a third-minute try. Jones had, himself, won a line-out to feed Mark Bennett who burrowed across from close range.

The overall performance of the Springboks was somewhat disappointing. It was the first time that they had played since beating New Zealand in the World Cup final, they looked rusty and clearly had problems in the line-out. However, they were perfectly capable of responding to Bennett's early try and quickly managed two of their own through Wiese - who charged in from close range - and then Francois Pienaar.

Wales trailed 18-8 at half-time, but a second Neil Jenkins penalty reduced the deficit to seven points. This stung the Springboks into action and they then produced some outstanding play in the backs, notching up 19 points in a seven-minute burst.

The best move of all, covering 75 metres, created their final try and was launched by Andre Joubert from inside his own 22. Pienaar and Joel Stransky then made cuts through the Welsh defence, and Joubert popped up again to enable Jappie Mulder to touch down in the corner. A conversion from Stransky meant the world champions were 29 points ahead and ended the Springboks' blistering period of play to which Wales had no reply.

Jenkins was dismissed a minute from the end, and though he claimed afterwards that when he hit Joost van der Westhuizen it was a reaction to being gouged, his excuse fell foul of the disciplinary committee. It was disappointing to see the Welsh performance tarnished in such a way. To their credit, the young and inexperienced side surprised everyone with a show of guts and determination, and they now have a good base to work from when they return home.

South Africa: Tries: Wiese, Pienaar, Small, Teichmann, Mulder; Penalties: Stransky 3; Conversions: Stransky 3.

Wales: Try Bennett; Penalties: N Jenkins 2.

SOUTH AFRICA: A Joubert; J Small, H Le Roux, J Mulde, J Olivier; J Stransky, J van der Westhuizen; B Swart, J Dalton, M Hurter, M Andrews, K Wiese, F Pienaar (capt), G Teichmann, R Kruger.

WALES: J Thomas; I Evans (both Llanelli), G Jones, G Thomas (both Bridgend), S Hill (Cardiff); N Jenkins (Pontypridd), A Moore (Cardiff); C Loader (Swansea), J Humphreys (Cardiff, capt), J Davies (Neath), P Arnold (Swansea), D Jones (Cardiff), A Gibbs (Newbridge), H Taylor, M Bennett (both Cardiff). Replacements: A Moore (Swansea) for D Jones (2); G Jenkins (Swansea) for Gibbs (40); M Taylor (Swansea) for Thomas (68).

Referee: J Dume (France).