Ruddock's Wales so close to upset

The Welsh camp were disappointed at losing, which can be the only attitude, though many believe the Springboks always had something to spare and would have hit Wales pretty quickly again had they gone ahead.

But the fact is that Wales went down by just two points, the closest margin of defeat in the 18 games played between the rivals dating back to 1906.

In that time Wales have won just once and drawn once, so apart from those two games, this was the closest a Welsh team had gone against the Springboks, which has to be some recommendation.

The Southern Hemisphere champions were never headed and were in the box seat from the off, sailing into a 10-0 lead after just seven minutes. Then, after being pegged back slightly, they rattled up a 23-6 advantage, but Wales wouldn't lie down.

They hit a purple patch as they narrowed the gap to a desperately close 22-23, scoring 16 unanswered points in a 40-minute spell.

The Springboks did step up a gear as they scored 15 points without reply, but again Wales showed bags of spirit as they scored two tries in the closing stages, both converted, to make the final gap a mere two points.

For their fighting spirit alone Wales have to be commended and they ran one of the most powerful rugby nations in the world mighty close.

Sure, there were problems, particularly in the line-outs where Wales struggled to win their own ball compared with the ease with which the Springbok partnership of hooker and captain John Smit and man-of-the-match, lock Victor Matfield, commanded their possession.

But Wales created plenty of problems for the Springboks, they attacked them, they had a go and they had the satisfaction of scoring three tries even if they did concede four themselves.

They possessed their own man-of-the-match in scrum half Dwayne Peel, whose quick breaks from the base of the scrum and around the fringes tormented the Springboks.

And the precocious young Gavin Henson left his mark on the game by scoring two second half tries with his deceptive, mazey running.

Even if the line-outs were a struggle until late on when replacement hooker Mefin Davies and lock Brent Cockbain struck up a partnership, the scrums were far more comfortable.

None was more effective than the injury time scrum when, with reinforcements on the pitch and a pack barely recognisable from the one which took the field, the Welsh eight heaved the Springboks over their own line and Peel pounced for the try.

Even if there was real disappointment at losing, that wasn't a bad achievement and even if the final deficit was two points it was a lot less that most people had predicted, and to be so forthright on the front foot wasn't a bad way for Wales to end.

It augurs well for the rest of the November internationals and beyond and, at the very least, will make all their rivals aware that Wales are up there fighting and ready for the challenge.

But how ironic, given that six members of the Newport Gwent Dragons team were on the field at one stage, that the one who made the greatest impact and had the biggest say in the final outcome should be in the South African team.

Full back Percy Montgomery showed what a world class player he is as he scored 23 points from four penalties, three conversions and a try, as well as having a major say in another try.

He missed just twice with one penalty shot and one conversion attempt, his try arriving after a Welsh counter by Shane Williams was halted when he lost the ball.

Schalk Burger quickly turned attack into defence and Jaco van der Westhuyzen split the defence for Montgomery to step inside replacement Tom Shanklin and go over for a try.

Earlier Monty had swept away from deep inside his own half, linked with De Wet Barry and made more ground before passing infield for outstanding number eight Joe van Niekerk to score with ease, a glorious try.

Monty was, however, caught for Wales' first try when Dafydd Jones appeared from nowhere with the ball, brushed Monty aside and halves Peel and Stephen Jones combined to send Henson away, the makeshift centre who could become a regular there under coach Mike Ruddock, swerving inside and over.

He was at it again when lovely handling and a burst by Dragons replacement Ceri Sweeney was carried on to Sonny Parker before Henson supplied the finishing touch.

Lock Luke Charteris, another replacement, went on in the 62nd minute for a decent taste of international rugby to cap his first appearance for Wales before he has even started a game for the Dragons, an act of faith if ever there was one.

But the Springboks probably had that little extra in hand and were by and large in control. Van der Westhuyzen nabbed that early try when he supported a break by aggressive centre Marius Joubert, then came Van Niekerk's effort.

But the Springboks were confined to two in the second half compared with Wales' three. First replacement Jean de Villiers crashed over within minutes of going on and then came Montgomery's try.

Though Stephen Jones scored 21 points for Wales with five penalties and three conversions it wasn't enough, but they can still feel proud, they can hold their heads up - and for that we can give some thanks after some of the recent traumas. The rest can wait a while longer.

Wales: G Thomas (captain), H Luscombe (T Shanklin 64), S Parker, G Henson, S Williams (C Sweeney 70), Stephen Jones D Peel, D Jones (G Jenkins 60), Steve Jones (M Davies 76), A Jones, B Cockbain, M Owen, D Jones (L Charteris 62), R Jones, C Charvis (M Williams 76). Scorers - tries: G Henson (2), D Peel; conversions: S Jones (3); penalties: Jones (5).

South Africa: P Montgomery, B Paulse (J De Villiers 55), M Joubert (M Claassens 80), De Wet Barry, A Willemse, J van der Westhuyzen (B Russell 67), F Du Preez, O Du Randt (H Shimange 78), J Smit (captain), E Andrews (C Van Der Linde 60), B Botha, V Matfield, S Burger (T Dlulane 78), J Smith, J Van Niekerk. Scorers -- tries: J Van Der Westhuyzen, J Van Niekerk, J De Villiers, P Montgomery; conversions: Montgomery (3); penalties: Montgomery (4).