Wales 0-73 South Africa: Where does Welsh rugby go from here?

“They say what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.”

These were the thoughts of Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) president Terry Cobner in his South Africa program notes.

After the latest capitulation and an 11th defeat at home in 12 games, Welsh rugby found itself on life support.

The WRU’s annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on Sunday, less than 24 hours after Welsh rugby’s latest humiliation. It can be a live-in relationship.

This latest turmoil against the Springboks could strengthen the WRU’s case that something needs to be done.

Following England’s defeat, former Wales captain Gwyn Jones said Welsh rugby bosses should not waste the crisis and initiate major change immediately.

The WRU has since proposed reducing the number of professional sides in Wales from four to three, but no clear plan has emerged as to how this would happen.

Negotiations with the Ospreys, Scarlets, Cardiff and Dragons will continue in December and the WRU hopes a consensus decision can be reached before the end of the year.

If the problem is not resolved, the process will be put out to tender and this process may take up to six months.

So that could still be the case in the spring, when Wales look to avoid a third clean sheet in the Six Nations.

The process is being led by WRU director of rugby and head of elite performance Dave Reddin, chairman Richard Collier-Keywood and chief executive Abi Tierney, who has just returned to work after undergoing treatment for cancer.

This trio’s belief in their ability to promote and implement change is put under scrutiny by question marks about their future.

Reddin was caught smiling for the cameras as Wales trailed 59-0 to South Africa.

It was unfortunate optics at best. At worst, it raises concerns about whether Reddin empathizes with the current state of Welsh rugby and whether he actually cares about it.