South Africa Wales - match thread

[Gatts]

First topic message reminder :

Well my comments today about the mighty 'W' and the performances of the minnow sides have obviously caused some controversy. I wouldn't be Gats if I didn't prod the opposition occasionally, usually just before a big game.

I for one loved watching Japan's bushido approach to tackling and Romania's scrummaging, it only served to highlight the soulless nature of the professional era when contrasted against the big teams seemingly inept but effective closing out. Namibia outplaying fiji for long periods and as for Argentina they played like warrior poets and i know all about them.
It reminded me of the good old days when giants could be slain and perhaps all these teases will finally come to fruition tonight when a new Welsh breed takes on the might of Bok experience . I am a romantic at heart, Tommo's kiss was old school class, the way we used to get under the oppo skin before tmo and yellow cards. But that era is gone, Wales played on passion alone for years and that, in my view and in hindsight, was our biggest problem. Gatland, a Kiwi and therefore fundamentally unable to get the significance of rugby in Wales, comes form a place where, clearly , rugby is life. That is a beautiful thing that we are all lucky enough to share in. I pity those that never pulled on the shirt, smelt the ralgex, bled and bought your opposite number a jug.
Gatland stumbled over the transition of Wales from a team that had to play offload catch up in the last third, to a team that is within a few hours going to play a game which may define how we progress for years to come. i know they can win but history tells us they can't.

Its now or never. No more talk. Bring on the boks and may the best team win.

[Guest]

I feel sick, I feel sick, I feel sick.

Don't like this commentator, turning over to S4C

[Cari]

what's the betting they'll have an ad break after the anthems? must cash in on the viewers...

[Gatts]

Its all about belief now

....and Gorgeous North

[Guest]

Good luck to both teams as well, Wales - do us proud, I know you can.

[Submachine]

Anyone got a link to game? Little one watched Ireland match with me this morning and is now taking ownership of the TV. Any other time I would gladly watch Santa Clause the Movie again

[Cari]

Dere 'mlaen Cymru...

They start with the most important anthem

[Guest]

Toby! What have you done to you r hair?!?!

[Cari]

Submachine - YHM

[HammerofThunor]

Wife's just singing the National Anthem in Welsh. The South African one!?

[Cari]

Schalk Burger!? I can't stand him! i hope he gets sent off.

[Notch]

When it comes to the anthems- South Africa always wins

"Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika", awesome.

[Shifty]

Toby! What have you done to you r hair?!?!

Omg, someone told him about Froby Faletau and he's changed it to spite us

[Cari]

Switch to S4C to avoid the adverts...

[Shifty]

Anyone got a link to game? Little one watched Ireland match with me this morning and is now taking ownership of the TV. Any other time I would gladly watch Santa Clause the Movie again

http://www.itv.com/itv1/

[Guest]

Really don't like the choirs singing the anthems. Haven't in any of the games, just far too shrill.

[Gatts]

When it comes to the anthems- South Africa always wins

"Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika", awesome.

You ever been in Cardiff on game day?!!!!

[Cari]

At least we have a decent referee.

[HammerofThunor]

Switching to S4C to avoid Vickery's boring commentry

[Gatts]

Ha ha ....Boks kick straight off

[Cari]

Vickery? It's not him I've got. Andy G and some other fella.

[Guest]

Charteris looks up for this match. Good. Another Carmarthenshire lad, hope he comes good.

[Cari]

Not a good start for Wales - gulp!

[Guest]

argh concentration Wales!

[Gatts]

GAIN LINE

[Shifty]

South Africa are getting over the gain line and stretching the Welsh defence.

[screamingaddabs]

Oh dear

[Guest]

Poopie. that has to be a score. Can't beleive we didn't get him into touch there.

[Cari]

Oh god.

[Pal Joey]

Powerful start from the Boks

[Notch]

When it comes to the anthems- South Africa always wins

"Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika", awesome.

You ever been in Cardiff on game day?!!!!

Yes, yes everything Welsh is better etc.

South Africa setting the tone early on. Wales need to find an instant response here

[Guest]

It doesn't look like we're comitting any players to rucks and competing for the ball at all.

[Guest]

7-0 to SA

[Cari]

Hook didn't stand a chance there.

7 - 0.

[Shifty]

Not suprising, Wales have started badly in all their games recently, and clearly we have trained for endurance over power. I knew we'd leak early points.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Im a bit annoyed that they keep talking about Wales and SA and not England

[Ozzy3213]

Pure power from Steyn in the corner, and Morne having no problem off the tee

[Mad for Chelsea]

poor defending from Wales you have to say, awful tackling from Fourie, and Williams should have done better there

[valjester]

Charteris looks up for this match. Good. Another Carmarthenshire lad, hope he comes good.

Why is he starting today? Bradley Davies is so much better than him and exactly the type of player wales will need today.

[Taylorman]

SA look solid. Wales yet to have a turn at attacking but certainly SA have more intensity at the mo.

[Cari]

How come the kicking curse hasn't affected Steyn?

[Guest]

woo we win a lineout!

Val - Bradley was off form all last season and didn't do enough in the warm ups. Charteris out performed him in those games, deservedly starting today.

[Gatts]

Its been a while since we did the total lack of concentration in the first 20 style of play...great to know its still in the armoury

[Guest]

what did they do to Shane?!?!

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Wales dont look too shabby now they have settled down

[rugbywhales]

Crap tackle attempt by Hook.

[Guest]

ah to be fair, he jumped intot he tackle, why does he keep doing that??

[Shifty]

Why is he starting today? Bradley Davies is so much better than him and exactly the type of player wales will need today.

Because the South Africans have an awesome line out who can steal most teams throws, we need our best 2 line out jumpers to have a chance.

[Cari]

Yay! Go Jimbo!!

7 - 3.

[WillyGilly]

Is y'on welsh prop there wearing tights?

[Mad for Chelsea]

better from Wales, they win the penalty and Hook gets them on board

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