South Africa remain on course to maintain their record of winning every third Rugby World Cup, after beating Wales 19-16 in the semi-final in Yokohama.
They set up a repeat of the 2007 final against England, after wearing down a Welsh side who fell one game short of the big show for the second time in Warren Gatland’s reign as coach.
Arm wrestle
This World Cup has had more than its fair share of classic matches. Japan’s wins over Ireland and Scotland were games for the ages. Wales’ pool stage win over Australia was an epic, as was the first semi-final between England and New Zealand.
This match was nothing of the sort. It was gripping, yes. But for the most part the rugby was turgid.
Not that teams should be compelled to play Barbarians rugby when the stakes are so high.
But it reached the point, early in the second half, when S'busiso Nkosi and Faf de Klerk shared an animated high-five after a Dan Biggar knock on. Given the paucity of flair on show, it felt like a highlight.
Powerhouse De Allende
If any clues were needed as to South Africa’s tactics, consider the vital statistics of Damian de Allende.
He passed the ball as many times as he scored tries in the match. That is, once.
And that is the Springboks inside centre, the nominal second receiver. He scarcely received the ball, let alone shipped it on.
And yet his input was decisive to the outcome of the match. In the 57th minute, he barrelled through tackles by Biggar and Owen Watkins to score the first try of the match.
Route one stuff that might be less pleasing on the eye as the quick passing of Japan, say, but it certainly effective. The midfield showdown between De Allende and England’s Manu Tuilagi in the final could be seismic.
Kicking de Klerk
De Klerk was a figure of fun among fans back at home after South Africa’s quarter-final win over Japan for the amount of times he opted to kick rather than pass.
Clearly, inhibiting a player of such fine attacking talents must be a tactic mandated to him, rather than something he decides to do unilaterally every game.
But he was at it again against Wales. By half-time, the Springboks scrum-half had kicked 12 times, and passed 14. Maybe he has fallen out with his backline.
He has a lot of practice, so it figures he should have some skill with his left boot.
It showed when he found an angle to curve a fine kick deep into the Wales 22, pinning them back into a position from which they could not recover.
Forward effort
South Africa lost a lineout against Wales. They will be mortified. Their return of four successful lineouts from their five throws against Wales was especially wretched, given that they had won all 57 in the tournament before this game.
They managed just one spoil out of the 15 that Wales threw in. It was in the dying embers of the game, and the Welsh needed to retain possession to stand any chance of recovering the three-point deficit.
Wales went for the most tried and trusted formula in the book: aim for Alun Wyn Jones, wherever he is.
Then Franco Mostert soared, interfered enough for Jones to knock on, and Wales were finished.
Warren’s woe
Between the semi-final losses against France in 2011 and now South Africa, Wales have lost by a combined tally of just four points.
“I’m absolutely proud of them,” said Gatland, who will coach Wales for the last time against New Zealand in the bronze medal match on Friday.
“We punch massively above our weight in terms of playing numbers we have in Wales. I’m really proud of these guys.
“They have given us 100 per cent, they continue to do so, but South Africa deserved to win tonight.”
