Springboks Habana ball

Bryan Habana scored two tries to see off Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

International Match, Saturday November 19, KO 17.00

Amongst all of the talk surrounding a New Zealand stroll to the 2007 World Cup, South Africa quietly laid down their marker at the Millennium Stadium, overpowering Wales 33-16.

The Springboks proved that they are developing many facets to their game as they notched up four tries to Wales' solitary effort, thanks largely to the phenomenal pace of Bryan Habana.

The sensational wing grabbed two scores and had a hand in Conrad Jantjes' touchdown, as South Africa emerged too strong for Wales in Cardiff.

The hosts had expected a physical encounter, and South Africa did not disappoint from the opening whistle, battering the Welsh defence with the trademark powerful runs of Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers.

The Springbok number six is undoubtedly one of the best flankers in world rugby, and he proved his worth in the opening ten minutes as his all-action style released Habana to go within 10 yards of the hosts' goal area.

The South African rugby player of the year was stopped by Shane Williams, but just a minute later he found his way to the corner as the visitors impressively stretched the Welsh rearguard. Moving the ball from flank to flank, Jake White's men consistently had a man over, and so it was to prove as Habana raced in to give his team an 8-0 lead.

However, Wales are made of strong resolve and, led by the industry of Owen, they began to open up their own positive game - resulting in a converted penalty from Stephen Jones.

Ian Gough, a last ditch replacement for Luke Charteris just an hour before the kick-off, produced a robust opening half an hour as he drove the Welsh forward, but ultimately the Springboks were proving to hold the edge all over the park.

After both sides exchanged penalties, the visitors flew down the right wing this time, and CJ van der Linde was inches away from a second South Africa try as Martyn Williams heroically held up the 20-stones prop on the line.

The Springboks kept knocking on the door and they thought they had scored a minute later, but Jaque Fourie had received a forward pass on his way to the line.

On the counter, Wales were playing some of their best rugby of the autumn, and for all of South Africa's possession one could never write off Mike Ruddock's men as they endeavoured to throw the ball around with calculated improvisation.

As the sides took a breather at the interval, a five-point deficit separated the sides largely thanks to the woeful kicking of Montgomery who seemed to suffer a crisis of confidence with his kicking style as the half went on.

The second period started in much the same manner as the first as the Springboks lept onto the front foot - this time through Burger's partner in crime Juan Smith, and from the breakdown the ball was swept wide to the lightning Habana, who simply flew over the line.

Just to ensure that the game's rhythm continued, Montgomery dragged the conversion wide, before Jones quickly pulled three points back from a penalty to make the scores 16-9 seven minutes into the second period.

South Africa were displaying a real determination to kill the game off, and from the mechanical supply line of the line-out - led by Bakkies Botha, they found Habana for a potential hat-trick, but Dafydd James just managed to halt the speedster's charge.

Wales were rocking but they were given a foothold by referee Stuart Dickinson, who sin-binned Montgomery when there seemed to be little in his challenge on Williams.

A big opportunity immediately opened up as Jones sent Williams chasing after a kick to the corner, only for Fourie to sweep up under intense pressure.

Chris Horsman was then yellow-carded for punching, but his departure did little to hinder the Welsh momentum as they tried to drag themselves back into the game.

However, Habana was always lurking on the break, and it was he who caused confusion in the Wales defence once more, before Sonny Parker spilled the ball to allow Jantjes to drop on it for 23-9.

The Welsh refused to give in though, and back they came with typical spirit, creating a huge overlap for Williams in the corner, who should have passed as he was squeezed out inches short of the line.

Montgomery was consequently shown a second yellow and inevitably red card for yet another harsh decision, as he appeared to stop Williams at shoulder height, and Wales immediately capitalised with Sweeney powering onto Williams' reverse pass to dive over.

There was plenty to take encouragement from for the Wales fans as their troops rallied superbly late on, playing the kind of rugby that won them the Six-Nations.

However, this South Africa side are unspectacularly special, and they deservedly had the final word as Danie Roussouw went over with the final move of the game.

Wales: (6) 16
Tries: Sweeney
Cons: Jones
Pens: Jones 3

South Africa: (11) 33
Tries: Habana 2, Jantjes, Rossouw
Cons: Bosman 2
Pens: Montgomery 3