Jamie Roberts to take time away from the game following Wales' World Cup exit

The 28-year-old will step away from the ridours of the pro game to study full-time at Cambridge University and will join up with Harlequins following the Varsity match at Twickenham on December 10.

Roberts held back the tears as he was interviewed post-match after a late Fourie Du Preez try sealed victory for South Africa to end Wales’ tournament.

He said: “I’m taking six or seven weeks away from professional rugby now.

“I’m going to Cambridge, so I’ll go and play for Cambridge.

“And If I can attack the last third of my career like I’ve done the first two thirds then it’s a nice time for me just to step away from it a bit and go again come mid-December with Harlequins.”

Wales had led for the majority of the second half, and Roberts had to stop to compose himself mid-interview as he welled up.

He said:  “It’s just sheer disappointment, that’s test rugby at its best really.

“It was desperately physical and obviously in the 74th minute they’ve scored and it’s hard from there.

“It’s difficult to talk, especially at this stage, giving how hard we’ve battled.

“It’s one of those brutal moments I suppose as a rugby player.

“The guys have it everything.

“When you play against the Springboks, they come hard in waves off nine and off 10 and they’re big, big players.

“Physically I thought we matched them.

“I thought our defence was quite heroic at times and not to concede a try until the 74th minute is pretty special.

“It was lovely play from Duane Vermeulen – you have to give him credit – he’s a special player.

“They took their chance well.

“You have to give them credit for that and the way they kept attacking, but there was nothing in that game.

“If you look back at the England game, we’ve won a close game like that and unfortunately we’ve lost one against South Africa – and it doesn’t feel good.”

The former Glantaf schoolboy hopes the coaching team of Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards, Rob Howley, Robin McBryde and Neil Jenkins can stay together – but with Shaun Edwards out of contract it appears the writing is on the wall.

Roberts said:  “I thought our defence was outstanding.

“To stop South Africa crossing the gainline so much is a feat in itself and I think Shaun Edwards has been a magnificent coach and he’s a wonderful guy and a guy who has got the best out of us defensively.

“To stop the Springboks like we did with boys putting their bodies on the line was amazing to watch.

“You see a fellow player putting their body on the line and sacrificing their health for the sake of the team and country is pretty inspiring.

“I hope the coaching team stay together – I can say that.

“There’s a great mix there – a great mix of characters and styles of coaching that the boys really enjoy.

“They bring the best out the players, but we’ll see what happens.”

His former Cardiff Blues team-mate Alex Cuthbert – who has been desperately out of form for 12 months – has been subject to some vile abuse from so-called Welsh fans on social media, but Roberts stood by his pal.

He said: “I thought Alex was outstanding.

“It’s no secret that he’s coming in for a bit of stick from the press, but I think it’s a measure of the man that he’s stood up to that and probably gave his best performance on the biggest stage today.

“I’m proud of him and I thought he was outstanding.

“His work rate, his energy, he was an inspiration and was one of our best players on the park.

“I’m gutted for him as I’m gutted for all the players – it’s just tough. It’s hard.”

With the Six Nations four months away and a fresh start in London awaiting the two-time Lion, he will be looking to dust himself down and get down to business ready to add to his 74 Wales caps in the spring.

“You can’t dwell on it, that’s the way it is,” he said.

“It’s knockout rugby and it’s difficult at the moment.

“It’ll be difficult for the next few days and we’ll look back and reflect on a tough group, one we’ve done very well to get out of, and unfortunately that last try has just killed us.

“It was a brutal test match and one we’ve unfortunately lost.

“I’m desperately proud of the boys and we’ve put a lot of work in to get where we are, but now unfortunately it’s over.

“That shows how brutal knockout rugby is.

“A season is a long time in international rugby and the Six Nations will come around quicker than anything.

“There’s less than four months until that kicks off, so all the talk about the World Cups – four years is a long time away.

“In a few weeks we can start looking forward to the Six Nations and that’s something we desperately want to win again.”

Many wrote Warren Gatland’s men off before the Rugby World Cup by tipping England and Australia to emerge from the pool of death, but Wales defied the odds despite a horror catalogue of injuries.

In the back division alone Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb were all ruled out before a ball had been kicked and during the tournament they lost Hallam Amos, Cory Allen, Scott Williams and Liam Williams.

It meant Roberts played with three different outside-centres in four games.

Roberts said: “It’s the nature of the beast.

“We’ve been a bit cursed unfortunately for us, but it happens to every team.

“That’s the way it is at times.

“The game is brutal and it takes its toll and unfortunately it’s taken its toll more on us than other teams, but I think the players that have come in have done a sterling job.

“It’s great to see that depth of talent which I think we have.

“People are very quick to say we don’t have that depth of talent in Wales, but I think this campaign has shown it’s there.

“I think it’s shown the likes of Tyler Morgan, Matthew Morgan and these guys can come in and play at the top level and it’s great to see.”