Player ratings: Card games
Wales have only themselves to blame for not getting their first-ever win over the Springboks on South African soil.
Poor discipline and a bad attitude – with referee Steve Walsh having to speak to the visitors inside the opening 10 minutes about their off-the-bal antics and illegal tactics – is what cost them.
Wales were looking impressive and leading 17-0 in the first half, till Luke Charteris and Dan Bigger were yellow-carded in quick succession for repeated and deliberate illegal tactics. That allowed the Springboks back into the game through two quick tries.
But worse was to follow. After leading by 13 points going into the last 10 minutes, they again allowed the home team back into the game – including a penalty try in the dying minutes, for an illegal shoulder charge, that gifted the Boks a one-point (31-30) win.
Hang your heads in shame Dragons!
Jan de Koning rates the Welsh players!
15 Liam Williams:
Had a couple of promising runs, but his workrate was not very impressive.
6/10
14 Alex Cuthbert:
Great running angle for first Welsh try, broke some tackles and scored a great try. Kept testing the Bok defence.
7/10
13 Jonathan Davies:
Broke Bok tackles with ease early in the game, but his defence left a lot to be desired.
6/10
12 Jamie Roberts:
Was well watched, but kept the Bok defence busy and honest. Made all but one of his tackles.
6/10
11 George North:
For such a big man he does very little. Missed more tackles than he made.
4/10
10 Dan Biggar:
Missed his first kick at goal, put a ball directly into touch and was yellow-cared. The rest of his game was very good, as he controlled proceedings.
6/10
9 Mike Phillips:
Tested the Bok defence early, making some good metres. But was one of the guys who tried to niggle and bully the whole game, also missing a few tackles.
5/10
8 Taulupe Faletau:
Take a bow. Carried the ball well, getting over the advantage line often, and made the most tackles by some distance – without slipping any.
9/10
7 Josh Turnbull:
He was instrumental in slowing down the Bok ball, even though some of it was illegal. Played the referee very well. Also won a couple of line-outs.
8/10
6 Dan Lydiate:
His workrate on defence was enormous, taking his tackle count well into double figures. Made plenty of carries, although not always with great effect.
7/10
5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain):
Involved in too much off-the-ball stuff and was warned early on by the referee. Did put his body on the line on defence and won a number of line-outs.
6/10
4 Luke Charteris:
Won a great turnover penalty when the Boks were pushing hard just outside the Welsh 22, solid on defence and good value at the breakdown, then spoilt it by getting carded for a professional foul.
7/10
3 Samson Lee:
Under pressure from Tendai Mtawarira in the early scrums and then settled down. Then conceded a penalty in the first scrum of the second half. His workrate was poor.
5/10
2 Ken Owens:
Was really poor around the field, missing as many tackles as he made and made no ground with ball in hand.
4/10
1 Gethin Jenkins:
Under pressure in the scrums, his workrate was poor and was penalised several times.
4/10
Replacements:
16 Matthew Rees (on for Owens, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
17 Paul James (on for Jenkins, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Aaron Jarvis (on for lee, 51st min):
Made no real impact, other than a handful of tackles.
5/10
19 Jake Ball (on for Charteris, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Dan Baker:
Note used.
21 Gareth Davies:
Not used.
22 James Hook:
Not used.
23 Matthew Morgan:
Not used.
