South Africa condemn Wales to 12th straight defeat to leave Gatland on brink | Autumn Nations Series

Another week and another record defeat. This time Wales lost 45-12 to South Africa, their worst ever loss in a home game. This is a 12-game losing streak, at the end of a stupid year where they had lost every game they ever played.

The worst thing about this game was, in some ways, they played pretty well. Either way, it was a performance full of grit and determination, but it only leaves us with the unpleasant truth that this crushing loss was as good as it will ever get for this team. They simply don't seem to have anything more in them.

First, the good news. They scored two goals and the crowd gathered. Oh, and the first five minutes went by without a hitch. However, the next five games were disappointing. The match was almost over as South Africa won 12-0. Their try came from an unlikely flying finish by two lock forwards, Franco Mostert and Eben Etzebeth, who were following breaks from wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse. .

Kolbe broke through on the right and Mostert broke through the defense and took a great shot. Arendse then stole the ball from Sam Costelow and broke down the left flank to play a final pass to Etzebeth. Ezebeth chased him for about 40 meters in support and then slotted in a pass.

To emphasize this point, South Africa played the next 10 minutes inside Wales' 22 as if they were working out attacking scenarios in a practice match. Jack Morgan managed to hold off Siya Kolisi to prevent the third goal, but soon South Africa gave the ball to Arendse from behind an attacking lineout, running the ball across the field to Arendse.

Arendse was about to score his fourth goal when he dove to collect a cross-field kick and hit the ball back to Afelele Fassi. This time Blair Murray put his hand under the ball to prevent the try.

Kolisi scored another try when a TV match official spotted Jaden Hendrickse knocking the ball on in the build-up. It made little difference. In the ensuing scrum, Elli Rowe struck from the back.

By this time the Welsh fans were cheering the tackle as if it were a try. Forty minutes later, there was finally something to celebrate as Wales entered the South African 22 squad for the first time. They threw 13 men into the maul and tried to cross the line once, twice, three times before finally deciding to play the ball to Rio Dyer in the corner.

It was almost the best. The second half moved toward its inevitable conclusion. South Africa squandered several chances with sloppy responses. They were stuck in second gear. However, after a surprising break from Arendse, Fassi finally scored and Gerhard Steenekamp ended a series of pick-and-go charges. Wales missed a good opportunity when they botched a lineout in South Africa's number 22, and another when they were penalized in a hard-won scrum. They finally got their second point when James Botham managed to wiggle out of the final play of the game.

Things started to go wrong for Wales even before the match started. They had to make two last-minute changes to their line-up as prop Gareth Thomas fell ill and winger Tom Rodgers suffered a calf injury. Along with Will Rowlands, Thomas, with 35 caps, is the most experienced man in the squad and Rodgers was almost the only player to make any real gains from last week's debacle against Australia. Nicky Smith and Josh Hathaway were introduced as double cover, with Kemsley Mathias and Owen Watkin occupying the open substitute slots.

Even watching the program, I felt so humbled. “The dedication of our players cannot be questioned,” WRU President Terry Kovner wrote in his welcome address. “Right now, we're not good enough.” Kovner's prescription was to “keep working as hard as we can until we turn this corner.”

The WRU said it would carry out its usual post-series review, but given how bad the results were, it will now invite several independent experts from the sport to help. The plan is to report before Christmas, giving them just over a month to prepare for their next game, away to France at the start of the Six Nations. Mr Gatland is adamant that he wants to continue. At the same time, it is hoped that agreements will be struck with the four regional teams, which would give the WRU more funding and a bit more control over the teams in return.