'HARD TO WATCH' AS WALES ARE DISMANTLED

STEVE TANDY admitted it was “hard to watch” Wales’ biggest-ever home defeat as South Africa crushed his side 73-0 in Cardiff.

- PHIL BLANCHE

Wales' Ellis Mee is tackled by Andre Esterhuizen of South Africa

The world champions ran riot with 11 tries as Wales sunk to a new low at Principality Stadium.

There was a sour ending for South Africa as Eben Etzebeth was sent off in the final minute for gouging Alex Mann, but it was Tandy who was left to pick up the pieces after seeing his side dismantled in ruthless fashion.

"It's always hard to watch when you feel it's hard to get any grip of the game,” said head coach Tandy.

“It's disappointing to lose any game, but obviously the margin stings and it’s really raw for the group.

“In fairness to the group, it’s not a lack of effort, a lack of want, or a lack of trying. We just came up against a team that is way further down the track than us.

“But it can’t take away from a lot of the buildings that we've done in the first three games.”

The fixture was shrouded in controversy as the Welsh Rugby Union had arranged it outside World Rugby’s official Test window.

It meant Wales were unable to select their 13 England and France-based players that were part of the squad for earlier November Tests against Argentina, Japan and New Zealand.

Tandy had to select a side from Wales’ four regions, but his squad - who boasted fewer caps than the Springboks bench - were predictably overpowered by the world’s number one ranked team.

“The fixture is the fixture, I can’t change it,” said Tandy. “I knew when I got the job this fixture was in place.

“Look, we'll learn lessons from it, but ultimately it’s the rugby. We've got to focus on how we get that better.