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Rugby World Cup | Quarter-Finals
Oct 17, 2015 at 4pm UK
 
South Africa
23-19
Wales
du Prees (75')
FT
Davies (18')

Sam Warburton: 'Rugby World Cup exit feels premature'

Wales captain Sam Warburton tells Sports Mole that it is not a case of one game too far for his injury-ravaged side despite their World Cup exit to South Africa.

Wales captain Sam Warburton has insisted that it was not "one game too far" for his side against South Africa in this afternoon's Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

Warren Gatland's side have been ravaged by injuries to key players both before and throughout the tournament, yet still managed to reach the knockout stages from the 'Pool of Death'.

In addition to their injuries, Wales faced testing matches against England, Fiji and Australia in succession before meeting the Springboks, who clinched a dramatic 23-18 victory with a Fourie du Preez try five minutes from time.

However, Warburton refused to make excuses for his side's exit and rejected suggestions that they may have run out of steam in the closing stages at Twickenham.

"No I wouldn't say that. Most games are won on individual moments sometimes. It wasn't one game too far," he told Sports Mole.

"I feel going out of the competition now is very premature. We've put so much work in over the summer. My body would feel ready to go for another two weeks if I had to so I don't think it's that.

"We would never blame the injuries or playing so many games in a row - it's the same for everyone. I felt physically we were in a good place, we just got caught out at the end."

Meanwhile, head coach Gatland conceded that penalties cost his side dearly in the defeat.

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Luke Charteris of Wales is tackled by Adriaan Strauss of South Africa and Handre Pollard of South Africa during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between South Africa and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on October 17, 2015
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