Youthful Wales torn to shreds
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.Rugby Union
ROBERT COLE
reports from Johannesburg
South Eastern Transvaal 47 Wales 6
When you are getting ready to play the world champions in a week's time the last thing you want to do is lose to a third division South African provincial side. And when that beating contains five tries without reply you might be forgiven for fearing the worst for Ellis Park on Saturday.
Yet you will not find Alex Evans, the caretaker Welsh coach, down in the mouth. He knew the enormity of the task his young squad was facing on this two-week "Mission Impossible". But not even he could have predicted such a poor result in Witbank, even with a team of novices.
Easterns' cohesiveness, strength, commitment and determination to win proved too intoxicating a combination for the fresh-faced Welshmen who, according to their manager Geoff Evans, were taught "a salutary lesson that shows exactly where we are".
At the end of the first half Paul Arnold and Paul John both got to within a metre of the home line before being relieved of the ball. Then, with the last move of the game, what seemed to be a scoring pass to Alan Harris was intercepted by Jacques Bodenstein, who romped 85 metres to score.
If that summed up the Welsh day, two more of Easterns tries will have caused greater concern. The first, by Gerhard Erasmus came after five minutes, when he combined with Jacques Benade to turn a penalty which the Welsh players thought was going to be kicked for goal into a sucker score in the corner. The other was scored by Marius Bosman, who breezed past Neil Jenkins as if he was not there.
South Eastern Transvaal: Tries G Erasmus, J Visagie, M Bosman, R Fourie, J Bodenstein; Conversions J Benade 5; Penalties J Benade 3; Drop goal J Benade. Wales: Penalties A Williams 2.
South Eastern Transvaal: J Bodenstein; K Benade, C Greeff, G Gendall, S Naude (J Visagie, 29); J Benade, G Erasmus; H Swart, F Engelbrecht, J Espag, M Bosman, P de Lange, F Rossouw, T Oosthuizen (capt), R Fourie.
Wales: J Thomas (N Jenkins, 29); A Harris, G Jones, M Taylor, S Hill; A Williams, P John (capt, A Moore, 61); A Lewis, G Jenkins (J Humphreys, 61), L Mustoe, D Jones, P Arnold (G Prosser 41, C Loader 78), A Gibbs, C Wyatt (H Taylor 41), M Bennett.
Referee: I Rogers (Sarfu).
n Chester Williams will miss the Test against Wales after being concussed in an incident with his fellow Springbok James Small during Western Province's 23-22 defeat by Natal in the Currie Cup on Saturday. Western Province are to take further action over the collision, in which Williams's head appeared to strike Small's knee.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments