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Cape Town - Wales lock Luke Charteris believes they were not battle hardened ahead of last week's Test against the Springboks in Durban, but insists they'll be stronger in the second Test in Nelspruit this weekend.
As it happened: Boks v Wales, 1st Test
The Boks thumped Wales 38-16 in the first of two Tests last Saturday.
However, Charteris felt the fact that their opponents played more rugby recently counted in their favour.
"Before Saturday, most of the guys didn't play for a long while. Yes, we did have a practice game, but one trial match in six weeks is not the same as playing Super Rugby," Charteris told Die Burger's website.
"Unfortunately that's how it works with the knockout games (in the Northern Hemisphere). If you don't qualify for it, then your season ends four or five weeks earlier than the others who go through."
Charteris also mentioned that fitness and physical conditioning cannot be compared to on-field action.
"It's not the only reason we lost, but that's why we couldn't match South Africa's intensity."
The victory stretched South Africa's winning record against Wales to 26-1. Wales' only victory (29-19) came in 1999 at the opening of the new Millennium Stadium, while one match ended in a 6-all draw (Cardiff, 1970).
Saturday's second Test at the Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 15:00.
As it happened: Boks v Wales, 1st Test
The Boks thumped Wales 38-16 in the first of two Tests last Saturday.
However, Charteris felt the fact that their opponents played more rugby recently counted in their favour.
"Before Saturday, most of the guys didn't play for a long while. Yes, we did have a practice game, but one trial match in six weeks is not the same as playing Super Rugby," Charteris told Die Burger's website.
"Unfortunately that's how it works with the knockout games (in the Northern Hemisphere). If you don't qualify for it, then your season ends four or five weeks earlier than the others who go through."
Charteris also mentioned that fitness and physical conditioning cannot be compared to on-field action.
"It's not the only reason we lost, but that's why we couldn't match South Africa's intensity."
The victory stretched South Africa's winning record against Wales to 26-1. Wales' only victory (29-19) came in 1999 at the opening of the new Millennium Stadium, while one match ended in a 6-all draw (Cardiff, 1970).
Saturday's second Test at the Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 15:00.
