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Wales have won the coin toss. So far so good for the underdogs.
“I do care passionately about Welsh rugby and that’s why I’ve said that if people feel that the best decision is for me to go, then that’s OK, I’ll move on and look for something else,” Gatland said this week.
“I honestly believe that if you make that decision now, what are you going to achieve? Is someone else going to come in there and start again, how long is that process going to take? What players are available to us at the moment that are potentially going to affect results?”
Fighting words from one of the game’s greatest scrappers. But surely the end is nigh?
When Cameron Hanekom takes the field to win his Test debut, he’ll become the 51st player used by Rassie Erasmus this year.
Ordinarily such chopping and changing is a sing that things aren’t going so well (Wayne Pivac used 50 Welsh players in 2020 and Dave Rennie used 51 Australians in 2022).
But the Boks are on course to win their 11th Test from 13 in a season that includes a Rugby Championship title.
South Africa’s dominance over the oval ball is often inflated by their passionate supporters. France, New Zealand and Ireland, one their day, can certainly challenge them. But there’s no question we’re in the midst of one of the great dynasties in the sport’s history.
“Gatland has seemed like a sacked man working, if not a dead man walking, ever since he said he was willing to resign if it was in “the best interests of the Welsh game” after they were beaten 52-20 by Australia last Sunday”
This was punchy stuff from Andy Bull who also argues that Gats is “a good man, and was a great coach” but that it’s “beginning to feel like his last act of service to the Welsh game will be to take the blame for its failings, and, by doing so, force it to finally confront the state it is in.”
I’m not sure where I stand. All I know is that if the coach of my national team had publicly announced his intention/willingness to step away from the job twice in the same year, I’d be demanding he leave as swiftly as possible.
South Africa team
Two brothers – Jordan and Jaden Hendrikse – start together in the half-backs for the first time. Outside of them is a ton of experience as the in the backline.
In front of them it’s a slightly rejigged pack. Eben Etzebeth was supposed to start off the bench but a late injury to Jean Kleyn means the 130-cap veteran wears the 4 jersey. Keep an eye out for debutant Cameron Hanekom off the bench. Many back home have predicted a bright future for the rampaging loose forward.
South Africa: Aphelele Fassie; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobellar, Wilco Louw, Eben Eztebeth; Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (c), Elrigh Louw, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenkamp, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard.
Wales team
There have been four late changes to the side that was originally selected. Not sure if that’s a sign of chaos in the ranks but it is a rare late shuffle for sure.
Winger Josh Hathaway and prop Nicky Smith start in place of Tom Rogers and Gareth Thomas. Kemlsey Mathias and Owen Watkin take their place on a handy looking bench.
But I fear none of this will make much of a difference. Still, what an opportunity to do your country proud.
Wales: Blair Murray; Josh Hathaway, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Rio Dyer; Sam Costelow, Ellis Bevan; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (c), Archie Griffin, Will Rowlands, Christ Tchiunza, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Kieron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Eddie James, Owen Watkin.
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
If you like your Test rugby tight and hotly contested, you’ve probably come to the wrong place.
Of course anything can happen, but this would go down as one of the greatest shocks in the sport’s history if Wales – winless this year – manage to topple the Springboks.
Warren Gatland, Wales’ beleaguered coach, used to work miracles and achieve success despite the struggles of the domestic set-up. But he’s either lost his mojo or run out of players who can make up for those shortcomings because he heads into the most difficult challenge in rugby right now on the back of 11 straight defeats. For those wondering, that makes this the worst Welsh side in the country’s history. Anything other than a crushing 12th loss would constitute an upset.
Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s coach, has no space for sentiment or sympathy. He’s selected a formidable side (more on that later) and will expect to close 2024 with an 11th win from 13 Tests. This would also make it a clean sweep from their European tour, their first since 2013.
But if Wales are to go down let them at least go down with pride. Even a disappointing result can have a silver lining after all and there are thousands of loyal Welsh supporters who deserve to put this torrid year behind them with an inkling of goodwill in their hearts.
Kick off at 5:40pm.
Teams and further updates to come.
