Ellis Jenkins will have his World Cup hopes hanging in the balance when he gets a scan on his injured right knee on Monday.
The Cardiff Blues back row man was named as the man of the match in Wales’s 20-11 over South Africa, but left the field on a stretcher after going down in the final exchanges.
If, as feared, it is an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury, he could face surgery and six months on the sidelines.
“He has got a scan booked in for Monday. It looks like it might be an ACL injury, which obviously isn’t good,” admitted Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
“Hopefully, it won’t be too bad and we can get him back on the field as soon as possible. It was a simply outstanding performance from him. You have to really feel for him. It is tough to see a player who has worked that hard to get himself into the 23, and step up so well, finish like that.
“He came off the bench against Australia and we spoke about him not imposing himself enough, but he certainly did everything we could have expected from him.”
Jenkins did not make the original selection for the game, but was drafted in when Dan Lydiate was ruled out through injury and responded with a magnificent display, particularly at the breakdown.
Wales completed their first clean-sweep of the autumn, remain unbeaten at home this year and have won all five games against Rugby Championship sides in 2018.
On top of that, they have now won nine in a row.
Gatland has talked about them “flying under the radar” as the tournament in Japan looms into view, but any opponents who do not see the growing red dot on their screens by now need to get their faulty equipment checked out.
Wales remain third in the world rankings – behind New Zealand and Ireland – but it seems as though the bookies are a bit slower on the uptake regarding their growing threat.
When it comes to their chances of lifting the Webb Ellis trophy, most odds-setters remain to be wholly convinced by pricing them as sixth favourites at around 14-1.
The All Blacks, Ireland, England, South Africa and Australia are all given shorter prices to become world champions.
At least the Springboks did a little to justify that status late on in the Test on Saturday, after Gatland’s side had dominated the opening period.
Under Armour Series – Wales v South Africa – Saturday 24th November 2018 – Principality Stadium – Cardiff
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The Boks forced Wales to work hard to hang onto their lead after scoring two early tries, but Dan Biggar fired over two late penalties to make the game safe.
“It was the toughest game we played this autumn. There are still aspects we need to take away and work on, such as the scrummaging,” added Gatland.
“But we showed character throughout and this is a special group of players. The Welsh public should be very proud of them for the way they conduct themselves on and off the pitch.”
Welsh skipper Alun Wyn Jones was full of praise for his side and is now looking forward to taking a team to his fourth World Cup next year that is capable of competing hard for the top honours.
“The effort we are putting into games is becoming a habit and we are very pleased with all the ‘Ws’. There are still patches we want to work on, but the character we have shown in a couple of these games, even Tonga, is the most pleasing thing
“If we are honest, we can’t deny there is a bit of depth developing. Credit to the whole squad for supporting the guys through all four games.
“There are still a few guys who are injured at the moment, but there are a lot of players putting up their hands at the moment. It is hard to put into words, but I’m very pleased.”
