Wales face a winless 2024 and a thumping from the world champion Springboks
Wales face a winless 2024 and a thumping from the world champion Springboks
Wales’ Taine Plumtree and team-mates react after during the Autumn international match rugby match between Wales and Fiji at Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Sunday Nov. 10, 2024. (David Davies/PA via AP)
Wales coach Warren Gatland watches his team before the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Wales and Australia at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.(AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe, runs over the line to score a try during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Wales’ Taine Plumtree and team-mates react after during the Autumn international match rugby match between Wales and Fiji at Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Sunday Nov. 10, 2024. (David Davies/PA via AP)
Wales’ Taine Plumtree and team-mates react after during the Autumn international match rugby match between Wales and Fiji at Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Sunday Nov. 10, 2024. (David Davies/PA via AP)
Wales coach Warren Gatland watches his team before the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Wales and Australia at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.(AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Wales coach Warren Gatland watches his team before the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Wales and Australia at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.(AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe, runs over the line to score a try during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe, runs over the line to score a try during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Warren Gatland has come out swinging for his job.
One hopes his Wales team do, too, against Rugby World Cup champion South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.
Gatland wants to coach Wales to the end of its worst losing streak — 11 tests and counting — and beyond.
Asked again midweek if he had a strong desire to continue, he was emphatic: “Absolutely.”
Preferring as usual he takes the brunt of criticism rather than the players, he reiterated he has a plan and he needs time, and would resign if it was in the best interests of Welsh rugby.
Betting has begun on alternative coaches, and favors Steve Tandy, a Welshman who coaches the Scotland defense. It would cost the cash-strapped Welsh Rugby Union reportedly 1 million pounds ($1.2 million) to pay out the rest of Gatland’s four-year contract which runs to the 2027 World Cup.
Rassie Erasmus, who turned around the flailing Springboks in 2018, has given his backing to Gatland.
“Warren can’t all of a sudden become a bad coach with his track record,” Erasmus says. “It’s not quite clicking, but he is a guy who has fixed things before.”
Raw and inexperienced
There’s little chance Wales will click in this game, though. The Welsh are very raw, under-powered, defending poorly and lacking belief. When the teams met in June at Twickenham, Wales fought well to trail 14-13 at halftime but South Africa skipped away in the second half to win 41-13.
Wales debuted four players that day and two survive; backs Ellis Bevan and Eddie James. Wales will debut another on Saturday, Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas, an ex-England Under-20s Grand Slammer in 2021.
Gatland had seven British Lions at the Rugby World Cup a year ago and lost his last one last weekend when lock Adam Beard got a knee injury against Australia. The first autumn game against Fiji, lost 24-19, also cost Wales big back Mason Grady and in-form scrumhalf Tomos Williams.
The best remaining 23 Wales players total about 100 less caps than just the Springboks reserves, who include uncapped Bulls No. 8 Cameron Hanekom, a rangy 1.93 meters (6-foot-4) and 104 kilos.
When the Springboks clear their 6-2 bench in the second half, RG Snyman, Malcolm Marx and Vincent Koch will also be running in. As to their three world player of the year nominees, Cheslin Kolbe is playing, Eben Etzebeth is on the bench, and Pieter-Steph du Toit has gone home injured.
They are 30-point favorites to inflict on Wales a first winless calendar year since 1937, when Wales played only three times.
High score under threat
South Africa’s highest score against Wales in Cardiff is 52-16 last year, a Rugby World Cup warmup. That was the first time in 133 tests that a Gatland-coached Wales team conceded 50 points.
It wasn’t repeated until last weekend, when Australia racked up 52-20, even scoring 21 points when it had 14 men. Hooker Matt Faessler helped himself to three tries from rolling mauls.
Mauls — that’s more blood in the water for South Africa’s pack.
It is also motivated to achieve a first unbeaten northern tour in 11 years after wins over Scotland and England.
Gatland wants to limit the damage, and hope Wales can offer a green shoot of promise.
“It’s not just myself that’s hurting. It’s the players and coaches that are disappointed,” he says. “If we can all fix up one or two little things, it’ll make a significant difference. Hopefully we can go out there and surprise a few people. There’s not a lot of expectation and sometimes that allows you to go out and play with freedom.”
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