Wales 12-45 South Africa
Date:
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Attendance: 67,236
Wales v South Africa Match Reports
Wales continued a record losing run as they were beaten 45-12 by a ruthless South Africa in Cardiff. The Springboks blitzed the Welsh try line and were 19-0 up after only 19 minutes with Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth and Kurt-Lee Arendse all touching down. Elrigh Louw added a fourth Springbok try in the 34th minute, before Wales hit back with a try from Rio Dyer to trail 26-5 at half-time. Immediately after the break, Wales enjoyed their best spell of possession but couldn't make it count on the scoreboard. Instead, the hosts conceded two further tries when Aphelele Fassi and Gerhard Steenekamp scored either side of the hour mark. Jordan Hendrikse added a seventh try when he dived across the line in the 76th minute to secure a comprehensive victory for the Boks. James Botham got a consolation try in the 80th minute as Wales ended the calendar year without a single Test victory. A selection of match reports is listed below:
- Autumn Internationals: Wales hit a new low after losing for the 12th game in a row
- BBC: Dominant Springboks inflict 12th Wales loss in row
- Guardian: South Africa condemn Wales to 12th straight defeat to leave Gatland on brink
- Sky Sports: Pressure on Warren Gatland as Springboks inflict 12th defeat in a row
- WRU: Dyer and Botham tries give Welsh fans something to cheer
- SA Rugby: Relentless Boks complete perfect tour in Cardiff
Wales v South Africa - Match Highlights
Wales v South Africa - Match Stats
Wales (5) 12
Try: Dyer (40'+1), Botham (80')
Conversion: Thomas (80'+1)
South Africa (26) 45
Try: Mostert (6'), Etzebeth (9'), Arendse (19'), Louw (34'), Fassi (54'), Steenekamp (62'), Jordan Hendrikse (76')
Conversion: Jordan Hendrikse (7', 20', 35', 63', 77')
Man of the match: Franco Mostert (South Africa)
Wales v South Africa - Team Line-ups
Wales Team
Forwards
- 1 Nicky Smith
- 2 Dewi Lake (Captain)
- 3 Archie Griffin
- 4 Will Rowlands
- 5 Christ Tshiunza
- 6 James Botham
- 7 Jac Morgan
- 8 Taine Plumtree
Backs
- 9 Ellis Bevan
- 10 Sam Costelow
- 11 Rio Dyer
- 12 Ben Thomas
- 13 Max Llewellyn
- 14 Josh Hathaway
- 15 Blair Murray
Replacements
- 16 Ryan Elias
- 17 Kemsley Mathias
- 18 Keiron Assiratti
- 19 Freddie Thomas
- 20 Tommy Reffell
- 21 Rhodri Williams
- 22 Eddie James
- 23 Owen Watkin
South Africa Team
Forwards
- 1 Thomas du Toit
- 2 Johan Grobbelaar
- 3 Wilco Louw
- 4 Eben Etzebeth
- 5 Franco Mostert
- 6 Siya Kolisi (Captain)
- 7 Elrigh Louw
- 8 Jasper Wiese
Backs
- 9 Jaden Hendrikse
- 10 Jordan Hendrikse
- 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse
- 12 Damian de Allende
- 13 Jesse Kriel
- 14 Cheslin Kolbe
- 15 Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
- 16 Malcolm Marx
- 17 Gerhard Steenekamp
- 18 Vincent Koch
- 19 Marco van Staden
- 20 RG Snyman
- 21 Cameron Hanekom
- 22 Cobus Reinach
- 23 Handre Pollard