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Recap: Wales vs South Africa LIVE | Rugby World Cup
Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the World Cup semi-final match between Wales versus South Africa in Yokohama. Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation from anywhere in the world in our Live Match Centre (click here).
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Wales are hoping to reach a first-ever final while the Springboks are looking to add to their titles from 1995 and 2007. Here are some of the talking points heading into the game.
How much will star players Liam Williams and Cheslin Kolbe be missed?
Considerably so, is the answer. Both are sidelined because of ankle injuries, with Wales full-back Williams out of the tournament and South Africa wing Kolbe hoping he can be fit for next week and either a World Cup final or third-place play-off game.
Williams is a brilliant counter-attacker who adds so much to Wales’ game, while the diminutive Kolbe, who has scored seven tries across 13 Tests, is similarly inventive. It is a shame that a huge game has been deprived of such box-office talent.
(Continue reading below…)
The form guide suggests a Wales win
When it comes to the recent history between the countries, Wales hold a clear upper hand. They have beaten South Africa five times from the last six attempts, including four successive victories. The Springboks, though, are unquestionably stronger now than at any time during that losing run, and Wales know they have got it all to do in their quest for a first World Cup final appearance.
How will Jonathan Davies perform?
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Wales’ star centre missed the tense World Cup quarter-final victory over France last weekend because of a knee injury suffered against Fiji 11 days earlier. He has been in training this week and there is no doubt that Wales need him firing on all cylinders. At his best, Davies’ value to the team is enormous, offering attacking guile, defensive power and tactical prowess. If his knee does not trouble him, then expect a big performance.
Justin Tipuric shuns the limelight but he has been a beacon of excellence at this @rugbyworldcup. Sunday could be his defining moment for Wales.
– writes @OwainJTJones #RWC2019 #WALvRSA https://t.co/tMKsEy8KyB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 23, 2019
Will Wales cope with South Africa’s renowned physical power?
Wales will know what is coming against the Springboks: an abrasive, no-nonsense approach, a strong kicking game and set-piece excellence. They have shown in recent times that they are able to deal with it, and the Wales pack rarely comes off second-best against any opponent in the physical stakes. It is likely to be an arm-wrestle of an encounter, and clear attacking opportunities could prove few and far between. If Wales can stay in the fight, they have enough quality to administer a knockout blow.
What would it mean for Wales to reach a Rugby World Cup final?
Everything. They have never done it before, losing semi-finals in 1987 and 2011, and it would underline just how far head coach Warren Gatland has taken them during his 12-year coaching reign. When Gatland arrived in late 2007, Wales were ranked a lowly tenth in the world, but since then they have landed four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams, briefly been the world’s No1 team and are now through to a second World Cup semi-final of the Gatland era. This could be their time.
WATCH: Jim Hamilton previews the World Cup semi-final in the latest episode of Don’t Mess With Jim
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
31 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
27 Go to comments