Player ratings: Close, but no cigar
One defensive error at a scrum allowed Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez to race over for a match-winning try five minutes from time – a 23-19 victory.
It was heartbreaking, but perhaps the margin is a true reflection of how close it was – just one moment of magic from the Bok genius.
Jan de Koning rates the Welsh players!
15 Gareth Anscombe:
Only one decent run from the back, while he concede a couple of turnovers and also missed some tackles.
5/10
14 Alex Cuthbert:
His hands again let him down, as it has done throughout the tournament. Also missed a couple of tackle that cost his team.
5/10
13 Tyler Morgan:
Was very quiet. Other than a handful of tackles made no meaningful contribution.
5/10
12 Jamie Roberts:
His positional play was exceptional – as he thwarted a number of Bok attacks and cross-field kicks. His contesting in the air was great, although he missed a couple of tackles and conceded a penalty.
7/10
11 George North:
A really impressive early run that put the Boks on the back foot and kept up his threatening play with ball in hand. Made all his tackles, but conceded a couple of penalties.
7/10
10 Dan Biggar:
His brilliance gave Wales their try. His kicking out of hands also kept Boks under pressure and unless he was injured, it was a huge blunder to replace him.
8/10
9 Gareth Davies:
His support play is exception and greatly contributed to Wales' try. His defending, however, left a lot to be desired.
6/10
8 Taulupe Faletau:
Physical with ball in hand, even though he was well-marked by the Boks, and made a mountain of tackles.
6/10
7 Sam Warburton (captain):
Impressive work at the breakdown, on attack and defence, including some crucial turnovers. Close to being his team's most valuable forward.
8/10
6 Dan Lydiate:
His defence against the big Bok ball-carriers was impressive and he was also very efficient at the breakdown. Racked up the biggest tackle count in the game.
7/10
5 Alun-Wyn Jones:
The physical presence Wales required against SA, but missed a few tackles and also not as effective in the line-outs as the Welsh would have wanted.
6/10
4 Luke Charteris:
He made life unpleasant for the Boks when they attempted to set up their mauls – pushed the envelope and conceded a few penalties.
6/10
3 Samson Lee:
Solid in the scrums, but his workrate outside of the set pieces was very poor.
5/10
2 Scott Baldwin:
His best work was on defence and he was solid in the set pieces.
6/10
1 Gethin Jenkins.
Worked hard on defence and solid in the scrums.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Ken Owens (on for Baldwin, 57th min):
Brought nothing mew – just steady and doing the same defensive work as Baldwin.
5/10
17 Paul James (on for Jenkins, 56th min):
He made some tackles, but otherwise made no impact.
5/10
18 Tom Francis (on for Lee, 56th min):
Absolutely no impact. Made a handful of tackles and kick-off held his ground in the scrums.
4/10
19 Bradley Davies (on for Charteris, 64th min):
Made his tackles and nothing more.
5/10
20 Justin Tipuric (on for Lydiate, 64th min):
Did not make the impact that was expected of him.
5/10
21 Lloyd Williams (on for Davies, 71st min):
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Rhys Priestland (on for Biggar, 73rd min):
Not enough time to be rated.
23 James Hook (on for Morgan, 68th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
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