South Africa vs Wales: Five things we learned after Fourie Du Preez's late score sees Boks claim dramatic quarter final win
Dan Biggar is the best in Britain, Wales do not lack depth and South Africa are serious contenders for the world title
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Biggar's the best in Britain...
If the British and Irish Lions were picking their Test fly-half on the strength of performances at England 2015, Dan Biggar would be the outstanding choice. The 26-year-old has been superb all tournament and against South Africa he excelled once again. Some loosing kicking out of hand aside, it was hard to fault the playmaker and his kick and catch set-up Wales' only try for Gareth Davies.
Wales no longer reliant on Warrenball...
Wales' reliance on a power game based on unleashing waves of ball carriers - dubbed 'Warrenball' after their head coach Warren Gatland - is clearly ebbing. The likes of Jamie Roberts, George North and Toby Faletau are still used to punch holes - Roberts became more involved as the match progressed - but Davies' presence at scrum-half has brought greater speed of thought to the Welsh game.
Wales have depth...
Before the World Cup it was thought that Wales could field a strong 23 capable of mixing it with any opponent, but lacked depth if injury struck. That myth has been exploded during a tournament in which 10 backs have been lost to the treatment room - among them Lions Leigh Halfpenny and Jonathan Davies - yet Gatland's men still emerged from the hardest of pools and stood toe to toe with South Africa in a nail-biting quarter-final.
Where is England's seven...
England must have watched the performances of South Africa's Schalk Burger and Sam Warburton of Wales wondering what has happened to the Red Rose production line that once produced opensides of the calibre of Peter Winterbottom, Richard Hill and Neil Back. Man of the match Burger was so good that he could spend most of the match at first receiver and still run the hard yards, while Warburton produced turnover after turnover.
South Africa are serious title contenders...
The shock upset by Japan on the opening day of the World Cup - the biggest upset in rugby history - was a distant memory as South Africa seized their place in the semi-finals. This was the match that would reveal the Springboks' chances of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup and they came through impressively, finishing strongly with a big impact made by their bench.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments