What former Springbok coach NICK MALLETT had to say on SuperSport about the Springboks' defeat in Cardiff.
On the mistake-ridden Test
'This was a very, very poor game of rugby. I don't think Wales were good, I don't think South Africa were good. There were so many mistakes by both teams. I have a list here … Pat Lambie's knock-on when he looked up and he had a perfect opportunity to catch the ball and kick it into the corner … Willie le Roux's two knock-ons at the end of the game were absolutely crucial … Handré Pollard has a chance to kick [a penalty] into the corner and not only does he miss the kick but the Welsh guy [Scott Williams] is so stupid that he tries to keep the ball in play [inside the deadball area] instead of allowing it to go dead … Francois Hougaard takes a quick penalty tap and bangs it straight out [on the full]. I mean these are stupid schoolboy errors. There were no tries and it was a terribly depressing game. Give Wales credit – they beat a very poor, tired Springbok side – but I don't think they are going to be a threat at the World Cup either.'
On the Springboks' selections
'I wouldn't have changed the team for this game. The time [to start fringe players] was last week against Italy, who are ranked 14th in the world. We could have given a fresh look to that Bok team and rested some of the key guys we needed to win this game against Wales, who are a tougher challenge than Italy. [Players like] Julian Redelinghuys, Trevor Nyakane and Damian de Allende could have started against Italy, Pollard could have been given another go, with Cobus Reinach [as his halfback partner]. The All Blacks made [13] changes for their match against Scotland, which gave them the energy to come back against Wales.'
The scrums
'The scrums were chaotic. When they collapsed [on Bok ball] the ref wasn't sure whose mistake it was. Eventually he penalised Coenie Oosthuizen. We get Coenie off, Redelinghuys holds a good scrum, we get two tightheads, and then we get penalised and shoved off the ball in the last scrum [5m out from Wales' tryline]. One moment we're looking as if we're getting a hold on one bit of the set piece, and the next moment we are insecure.'
On Cornal Hendricks' yellow card
'I'm not absolutely certain that was a good decision [by the referee]. Both players [Hendricks and Leigh Halfpenny] were going up for the ball, but the attacking player going for the ball has to think about the receiving player, and apparently his safety is more important.'
Jean de Villiers's knee injury
'It was tragic … it's a very sad day. That was a terrible knee injury and it looks as if he might be out for six months.'
Wales blindside flank Sam Warburton
'Warburton was outstanding. His attacking of the breakdown was excellent. He turned over a number of our balls at vital times.'
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
