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Jones: Wales must use frustration against Boks

The Welsh dominated possession and territory for large periods at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, especially in the first half, but were never in control of the scoreboard.

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Down just 11-12 at half-time, Wales had no answer as the All Blacks ran out comfortable winners, with wings Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo each crossing for try doubles in the 33-18 victory that extended the world champions' winning streak over the Welsh to 30 games over 64 years.

"It's a cliche, we're fortunate in a way, we've got another game to go," said Jones.

"Hopefully, our frustration will fuel us next week."

South Africa have themselves spluttered on their Northern Hemisphere tour.

The Springboks beat Italy 35-6 on Saturday, after having edged France (18-17) a week earlier. But they also went down to a record 3-38 defeat to Ireland.

But their recent form in Cardiff is not great, with Wales running out winners in both 2016 and 2015, rare victories for the home side over one of the big Southern Hemisphere giants.

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"We have got a big week next week," Wales coach Warren Gatland said. "We have beaten them the last two occasions we have played them. We need to learn from the first three weeks we have been together, and continue to improve."

Wales will, however, be without a host of players for the Springbok encounter.

Rhys Webb (concussion) and Jake Ball (shoulder) both made early exits against the All Blacks, while there is also a doubt over centre Scott Williams (ankle).

Wales will also be without their England-based players who don't have a release for next week's game as it falls outside the international window.

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Gatland said he still needed to find out the status of Owen Williams, Tomas Francis, Taulupe Faletau, Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts – who all play for English clubs – for the Boks.

"There are a few players going back to their clubs next week," Gatland said.

"We will see where we are from a physical point of view over the next 24 hours and then start preparing for another tough match."

The consolation is that Springbok coach Allister Coetzee must also bid farewell to some of his overseas-based players. 

Francois Louw, Francois Mostert and Duane Vermeulen will all be missing from the pack versus Wales, although abrasive flank Siyamthanda Kolisi will rejoin the squad in Cardiff, having missed the Italian Test to be at the birth of his second child.

Former Wales and Lions legend Barry John, in his column for the Wales on Sunday newspaper, was blunt in his assessment of what Wales needed to produce.

"Gatland and his team need a victory to end the autumn on a high," John said.

"We don't want to be looking back at three more losses to the Southern Hemisphere big three (including a 21-29 loss to Australia) and a solitary scrappy victory over Georgia…

"The Springboks won't be as good as New Zealand and what Wales have to aim for is a repeat of their first-half performance, only this time sustained for the duration of the match."

Agence France-Presse

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