No margin for error as Wales unfortunate to come up short

South Africa 17-16 Wales

In what was undoubtedly the most exciting of the first round of matches at this year’s Rugby World Cup, defending champions edged out a spirited Wales side by 17 points to 16 in typically blustery conditions in Wellington.

Pool D has been seen by many analysts as deserving of the ‘Pool of Death’ tag (though England, Scotland and Argentina, all of whom are grouped together, may beg to differ). Wales, wary of a repeat of the loss to Fiji which sent them crashing out of the last tournament, were excellent in nearly all aspects of play, which will install them as heavy favourites in their encounters with both the Fijians and Samoa.

As is probably to be expected in a contest where a solitary point separates the team, Wales will feel they certainly could, and perhaps should have won. Tiny margins have an amplified effect.

What if Shane Williams hadn’t strayed so far from his wing inside three minutes, allowing Francois Steyn to sneak over in the corner, touching down in close proximity to the corner flag?

What if James Hook’s first half penalty had crossed between the posts instead of over the right-hand one? (Did it actually go over? Referee Wayne Barnes was implored to check with the television match official.)

What if Hook hadn’t pushed wide a penalty attempt late on – or if Rhys Priestland hadn’t hooked his attempt at a drop goal from in front of the posts?

What if. Such is the nature and the appeal of sport. South Africa, with tries from Steyn and Francois Hougaard, clung on to a victory that the possession and territory stats suggested they barely deserved. Wales’ five-point score came from number eight Toby Faletau – but there was a hint of a forward pass in the build up to his crossing the line. Karma?

The Springboks would probably have felt aggrieved themselves had Wales eked out a win. Their defence was generally solid, despite wave after wave of red-shirted attack, led by the power of Jamie Roberts, Faletau, Jonathan Davies and Sam Warburton alongside the control of Priestland and Hook.

Just like an overpowered boxer, staying off the ropes (just) but desperate for the safety of the bell, South Africa were driven back by Welsh offensive periods for the majority of the second half – as well as much of the first – without the comfort of possession, of which Wales claimed two-thirds. But like true champions, they hung on, needing no more than they got, frustrating the enthusiasm of their challengers.

It was not exactly the equivalent of the second warm-up match between Wales and England in Cardiff, when the visitors pounded away at the Welsh line fruitlessly for most of the match before the hosts executed the perfect smash-and-grab victory.

But Wales were smooth, coordinated, brave, powerful and, even in a losing cause, have impressed their fans and their coaching staff, and will have made likely quarterfinal opponents Australia (or perhaps Ireland, unimpressive in a 22-10 triumph over the United States earlier today) take note.

Maybe it is patronising to say that Wales did well despite the loss. After all, they came here to win matches, not lose pluckily in a matter reminiscent of their footballing compatriots.

However, they have the chance to avenge the misery of today’s loss. Wales must, of course, remain focused – they have three games to win before they can concentrate on the knockout stages. But if they can cut out the tiny errors, with their big effects, there is little reason why they cannot progress to at least the semi-finals for the first time since 1987.