World Champions bid White a fond farewell

World champions South Africa gave coach Jake White a winning send-off by outclassing a spirited but sometimes disorganised Wales…

World champions South Africa gave coach Jake White a winning send-off by outclassing a spirited but sometimes disorganised Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

The Springboks coasted 22-0 ahead in their first Test match since defeating England five weeks ago to land the Webb Ellis Trophy.

It was White's last Test at the helm, and he could only have had total admiration for the way a team minus six of the World Cup final XV went about their business.

Centre Jaque Fourie scored two first-half tries in three minutes after flanker Juan Smith rounded off a sweeping move, meaning the game was done and dusted despite Wales flanker Colin Charvis crashing over from close range just before the break.

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Charvis' 22nd Test touchdown set a new world record for a forward, beating the previous mark set by Italian lock Carlo Chechinatto.

Wing JP Pietersen and impressive newcomer Ryan Kankowski added further tries for South Africa in front of a 57,000 crowd, with fly-half Andre Pretorius booting three conversions and centre Francois Steyn landing a long-range penalty.

Full-back Morgan Stoddart - Wales' best player on his Test debut - claimed a deserved score, but incoming coach Warren Gatland clearly faces a huge job when he arrives from New Zealand next week.

Wales, having slumped to 10th in the world, face a major rebuilding task under Gatland, and speculation will now surround the identity of his backroom staff.

And it is feasible that none of Wales coaching team for today's clash - Nigel Davies, Neil Jenkins, Rowland Phillips or Robin McBryde - will be required.