Wales hang on – just!

The final leg of the Welsh Autumn Attrition Series saw Wales take on South Africa in the Principality Stadium. Both teams needed a win but neither were at anything like full strength with long injury lists and shorn of the gold diggers plying their trade in the rich feeding grounds of England and France.

Wales started brilliantly and had registered two converted tries before the Springboks had wiped the sleep out of their eyes. Two great kicks by Biggar led to tries for Williams and new cap Parkes. Wow! The spectators from both persuasions were completely stunned. This can’t be slow-starting Wales can it?

It got even better when Parkes scored his second try after a charged down kick to make Wales runaway leaders at 21-3. Wales had managed to keep the ball away from the bigger and stronger Springbok forwards and that surely couldn’t last could it? The answer, of course, was no it couldn’t. As we had feared before the match, the Welsh scrum was an Achilles heel. Wales seemed to give a penalty away at every scrum and of course their possession and territory statistics plummeted.

The period either side of half time saw the South Africans dominate proceedings and the Welsh lead shrink alarmingly. Tries by Gelant and Pollard left Wales looking very vulnerable as the Springbok forwards took control. Worse was to come when the Springboks deservedly took the lead at 21-22 after a converted try from Kriel.

The Welsh midfield general Biggar had left the field with an injury and it looked like the home side were heading for defeat as they seemed to lack direction. Wales were fortunate to be able to call upon the experienced Rhys Web from the bench and he together with the last vestiges of gas left in the Wyn Jones’ tank helped Wales to regroup. They worked their way down field and gleefully accepted a Halfpenny penalty which saw them regain the lead at 24-22.

The last minutes of the game were pure agony as the South Africans marched inexorably towards the Welsh line. Somehow Wales managed to turn the ball over in the nick of time but it still meant another trial for their creaking scrum. This time it just about held and an excellent relieving kick from Webb and a great kick chase saw Wales home. We must find a way to keep Webb in the fold!

If the quality of the match was patchy, the excitement level was high. A win was very important however it came and the Welsh fans went away happy. At the time it certainly didn’t matter that this Springboks team is a shadow of the powerhouses of yesteryear – a win is a win.

Gatland and his cohort will have plenty to think about before the Six Nations. First concern will be the injury list which will, of course, cut down the options available. With a clean bill of health there looks to be a highly competitive team in the making. Sadly the Lions’ tour and the taxing autumn programme are a big drain on resources. The bright spots in the autumn were the re-emergence of Hallam Amos, the ball handling of Rob Evans, the industry of Josh Navidi and the nous of Hadleigh Parkes and Owain Williams. First up in the Six Nations will be the visit of resurgent Scotland – sure to be a stern test. The second half in Murrayfield in last season’s match still gives me nightmares.

Pontypool get back down to business next weekend - thank goodness. Trebanos, the visitors to Pontypool Park, have made a great impression on the Championship after promotion last season. They certainly gave Pooler plenty to think about in the away fixture. On Friday, Pontypool were denied the opportunity of a run out against Talywain by the weather. Nevertheless they should be raring to go after the lay-off.

Come on Pooler!