Wales failed to score a single point once more against South Africa as the Springboks ran out convincing 43-0 Nations Championship winners in Durban.
South Africa won their previous meeting 73-0 in November when Wales, without England and France-based players in a Test played outside World Rugby’s official window, conceded 11 tries and suffered their heaviest home defeat.
The world champions were nowhere near as ruthless on home soil, but still scored seven tries with Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Jesse Kriel, Jaco Williams, Herschel Jantjies, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Paul de Villiers crossing. New boy Vusi Moyo and Manie Libbok kicked four conversions between them.
Wales could actually call on more caps and experience in the two starting line-ups but were simply unable to combat South Africa’s power game. This was the Springboks’ 11th consecutive win and their third in the Nations Championship after victories over England and Scotland to take them top of the Southern Section.
Relive all the action from the Nations Championship clash with our live blog below:
South Africa vs Wales LIVE
- South Africa beat Wales 43-0 in the Nations Championship
- Springboks make it three wins from three in first phase of inaugural competition
- Wales barely fire a shot in Durban as the double reigning world champions cruise to win
- REPORT: Wales fail to muster a point as dominant South Africa complete Nations Championship clean sweep
- FULL-TIME! Boks add four second-half tries to complete 43-0 win despite sloppy performance
- HALF-TIME! Springboks waste chances with scrappy play but still lead Wales 19-0
Dewi Lake adamant Wales showed growth
19:15 , Luke Baker
Wales skipper Dewi Lake gave a surprisingly upbeat interview to ITV after the loss, describing his pride at the performance and saying his side have shown a lot of growth since the autumn (when they did lose 73-0 to the Boks, to be fair)
Lake said: "I'm massively proud of the boys, some people might be shocked with me saying that with the scoreboard looking as it does, but for me there is a lot of improvement in that.
"You compare that performance to the performance in the autumn against the Boks.
"We're not happy with the nil on the scoreboard, we're not happy with losing, there's a lot for us to improve on, but we've had growth and I'm proud of every single one of those boys that pulled the jersey on and gave everything on that field today."
Wales fail to muster a point as dominant South Africa complete Nations Championship clean sweep
19:04 , Luke Baker
Wales failed to score a single point once more against South Africa as the Springboks ran out convincing 43-0 Nations Championship winners in Durban.
South Africa won their previous meeting 73-0 in November when Wales, without England and France-based players in a Test played outside World Rugby’s official window, conceded 11 tries and suffered their heaviest home defeat.
The world champions were nowhere near as ruthless on home soil, but still scored seven tries with Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Jesse Kriel, Jaco Williams, Herschel Jantjies, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Paul de Villiers crossing.
Read the full report from the game:
Wales fail to muster a point as dominant South Africa complete clean sweep
Springboks 'wanted to bring their physicality'
18:55 , Luke Baker
“I think you can see in our faces we wanted to bring our physicality,” man of the match Paul de Villiers, who scored his first international try, tells ITV.
“We did in the set pieces, in the carries, and in our defence. The ball was a bit wet which cost us in our execution.”
Jac Morgan 'gutted' at Wales being nilled
18:45 , Luke Baker
“It was a hard game today, we knew how physical they were going to be and respect to them they were really good today,” Wales back row Jac Morgan tells S4C
“It was a physical game, I'm a little bit gutted we couldn't get any points on the board but fair play to the boys they stuck in for long periods of the game. Our discipline let us down at times and that gave them opportunities.
“There's work for us to do as a squad. We know that, every week we come in and try to improve. You can see as a team that we're developing over the last few months. I respect all the boys for their effort over the summer.
“It's been three hard Tests and we've been tested. We just have to stick together and carry on improving. They are a great group of boys and the heart they've shown to keep battling is something we can take pride in.”
FULL-TIME! South Africa 43-0 Wales
18:33 , Luke Baker
The Springboks weren’t really tested today and finish the first phase of this Nations Championship with three wins from three
FULL-TIME! South Africa 43-0 Wales
18:27 , Luke Baker
And that’s that! The match ends, fittingly, with a knock-on.
South Africa never got out of third gear, were sloppy in possession, made countless handling errors and still completely outclassed Wales - battering them seven tries to nil.
The world champions are on a different level to everyone else in world rugby and Wales will probably be relieved to leave having only shipped 43.
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 43-0 Wales (Paul de Villiers, 80 mins)
18:25 , Luke Baker
And a seventh try to finish for the Boks! The maul rumbles from the lineout and Paul de Villiers is the man at the back to dot down. A first international try in his third Test.
Libbok nails the conversion for good measure
South Africa 36-0 Wales, 79 mins
18:24 , Luke Baker
Edwards chips from his own 22 to try and create some magic but all it does is give Kriel posession. He links with Libbok and Willemse as they look for a way through.
A kick across engenders pure panic in Hawkins who can only fumble it out of play for an attacking Boks lineout.
South Africa 36-0 Wales, 77 mins
18:22 , Luke Baker
The Welsh scrum is marched backwards, as it has been all day, but they scramble the ball away. However, Mee makes a hash of a kick through, which Libbok seizes upon and jinks between tacklers but his offload hits the deck off the hands of Kriel.
That sort of sums this match up.
South Africa 36-0 Wales, 74 mins
18:20 , Luke Baker
It feels weird to say, given they lead six tries to nil, but the Springboks really haven’t been very good today. It’s been scrappy and mistake-filled. They’re needlessly offside from a Welsh box-kick as the latest error.
Wales have still been outclassed, mind. They’re duly pinged for not releasing shortly after. They are back to a full complement as Ben Warren trots back on though. Also a scrum-half change as Reuben Morgan-Williams is on for Tomos Williams
South Africa 36-0 Wales, 71 mins
18:17 , Luke Baker
Still a few minutes of Warren’s sin-bin left, although the referee confirms it won’t be upgraded as it was indirect head contact - to the shoulder first.
The Springboks will surely be eyeing 50 points
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 36-0 Wales (Kurt-Lee Arendse, 69 mins)
18:14 , Luke Baker
Try number six for the Boks. From the lineout, they work infield and then the ball is spread all the way across the field - through the hands and a long pass finds Kurt-Lee Arendse for a stroll into the corner.
Libbok messes up the conversion again but Wales are well beaten here.
South Africa 31-0 Wales, 67 mins
18:13 , Luke Baker
The Boks smell blood now. They surge into the 22 and the slippery Arendse weaves between tackles before offloading. Wales hold firm but back for a penalty, which goes to the corner, so the reprieve doesn’t last long.
It’s Mandela Day in South Africa so, on 67 minutes, the crowds cheers and get their phones out for a sea of lights.
South Africa 31-0 Wales, 66 mins
18:11 , Luke Baker
Things get harder for Wales. The TMO has spotted some head contact. It’s Ben Warren, the replacement Wales prop, who hits Marco van Staden high in the tackle.
It’s indirect, he rides up after a fair hit and Van Staden is dipping but there’s enough there for the sin-bin and the bunker will take a look. I’d be stunned if it’s upgraded to red but Wales are down to 14 men for the next 10 minutes either way
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 31-0 Wales (Herschel Jantjies, 65 mins)
18:09 , Luke Baker
And there it is! At last South Africa take advantage. Herschel Jantjies goes for a Nolann Le Garrec-esque reverse, back of the hand power pass and find Jaco Williams on the right wing.
He streaks down the flank and pops back inside for the supporting Jantjies to cruise over the line! A fifth try for the Springboks.
No conversion from Libbok but they’ll be pleased to get over the line.
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 63 mins
18:05 , Luke Baker
South Africa are over the line at last... but HELD UP! Morgan and Mee get their bodies underneath the maul as it rumbles over the line, so there is no grounding.
This is a combination of valiant Welsh defence and profligate Boks attack
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 62 mins
18:03 , Luke Baker
Springboks still knocking on the door but still spilling the ball, with De Villiers the latest offender. However, Wales giving away penalties, so we come back for one at the scrum, keeping the Boks in the opposition 22.
They go to the corner.
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 59 mins
18:00 , Luke Baker
South Africa settle in to run their phases around the edge of the 22. They keep it tight initially before Libbok pops up a gorgeous cross-field kick.
Jaco Williams claims it in the air, offloads inside to Kriel with the line at his mercy but he spills forward! The chance goes begging.
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 57 mins
17:57 , Luke Baker
Really good maul defence by Wales. The ball spills out the back and Venter runs left to try and set things up, But it’s a superb tackle by the increasingly impressive Elias who wraps him up and drags him into touch. Class!
Wales see off the threat, for now.
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 55 mins
17:55 , Luke Baker
Libbok with a monster kick to the corner, giving the Boks a golden chance from the lineout. Jasper Wiese off for Marco van Staden in the back row, while Ben Warren comes on in the Welsh front row.
South Africa win the lineout and get the maul churning...
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 53 mins
17:53 , Luke Baker
This is still sloppy from South Africa. Another offside kills an attacking opportunity.
Herschel Jantjies on at scrum half for Reinach. The Springboks try to go from deep but Wales defend well and force the hosts to the air, with Rees-Zammit claiming very impressively.
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 51 mins
17:51 , Luke Baker
The replacements getting involved. Botham showing good energy. But the Springboks win the penalty! Chance goes begging for Wales.
Manie Libbok, on for Moyo at fly half, can kick them out of the 22.
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 50 mins
17:50 , Luke Baker
Mee agonisingly close to burrowing over in the corner but he’s deemed to knock on. However, there was a penalty coming.
Wales go again, Elias with another hard carry. They end up going backwards through, outside the 22, though they have an offside penalty coming. And we’ll go back for that. Yellow cards soon?
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 49 mins
17:48 , Luke Baker
Four changes as the Boks start to bring on the bomb squad. One of those, Wilco Louw, immediately pinged for a tackle around the neck.
Wales tap and go and they’re five metres out. Mann probes but is pushed back.
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 47 mins
17:47 , Luke Baker
Wales try to come again. Elias with another decent carry, he’s been a threat since coming off the bench. Boks then pinged for not rolling away in the tackle.
So another Wales penalty that can be kicked towards the corner.
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 46 mins
17:46 , Luke Baker
It’s all a bit static from Wales, on the back foot but Nicky Smith with a manly carry to make a few metres and get over the gainline.
They flip wide to Mee but the dark green wall is standing firm on the 22. Tomos Williams has a snipe from the base.
Eventually Hawkins tries a grubber through but it’s collected by South Africa and thumped clear.
South Africa 26-0 Wales, 44 mins
17:44 , Luke Baker
Decent clearance kick from Edwards as he finds grass to stop South Africa launching an immediate counter.
And Wales then win a penalty from a lineout, as Wainwright is contacted in the air, so the visitors have a platform on the edge of the Boks 22...
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 26-0 Wales (Jaco Williams, 41 mins)
17:42 , Luke Baker
That didn’t take long! Less than a minute into the second half and Jaco Williams has a debut try.
A diabolical clearance kick from Wales goes straight up into the air. Reinach picks up the scraps, offloads to Wiese who makes a couple of metres and passes to Williams to race in down the left flank. Easy.
KICK-OFF! South Africa 19-0 Wales
17:40 , Luke Baker
Back underway in Durban
HALF-TIME! South Africa 19-0 Wales
17:32 , Luke Baker
More mistakes than the Springboks would have wanted but they’ve got a comfortable lead and there’s no suggestion of Wales getting back into this match
HALF-TIME! South Africa 19-0 Wales
17:26 , Luke Baker
And that’s half-time in Durban. The Springboks have completely dominated and should lead by more but sloppy handling has cost them.
However, they do have three tries from Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach and Jesse Kriel and Wales have barely fired a shot
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 19-0 Wales (Jesse Kriel, 40 mins)
17:24 , Luke Baker
Fassi plucks a high pass out of the air and chest passes out to Du Toit who cuts inside.
Dillon Lewis pinged means penalty advantage and Moyo goes crossfield with the kick. Jaco Williams and Tomos Williams compete in the air, the South African man wins the duel, knocks it back down on his side and Jesse Kriel is sweeping up to collect and dart over the line in the corner.
A third try, although Moyo misses the touchline conversion.
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 39 mins
17:22 , Luke Baker
A final chance before half-time for South Africa as Moyo kicks a penalty into the 22 for an attacking lineout.
Kriel on crash ball (he hasn’t touched it much so far) and they keep making ground on the next few carries, with Reinach taking them to just outside five metres out...
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 37 mins
17:19 , Luke Baker
Lineout is solid and South Africa can clear but Wales are controlling territory for the past couple of minutes. They’ve got a platform just outside the Boks 22.
Thomas with a nice carry into the 22 and Carre then takes a good line on crash ball but the pass is a shade low, the ball hits his hands and falls to the deck. Chance gone.
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 35 mins
17:17 , Luke Baker
The Welsh scrum doing just enough to win the ball each time. They go nowhere in three phases, so Williams kicks ahead and Ress-Zammit (who has had no opportunities in attack so far) gives chase but it’s too long and bounces into the in-goal area.
Murray with a low fizzing kick when it’s cleared to him and it pins the Boks in their own 22, with a defensive lineout...
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 34 mins
17:15 , Luke Baker
And another South African handling error! A long kick clear by Wales and Fassi knocks on in his own half - basic errors.
Wales have a scrum in Boks territory! They can maybe play a couple of phases in the opposition half!
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 33 mins
17:14 , Luke Baker
Another Springboks spill. They’re struggling with the slippery ball. Already a seventh Welsh scrum in the opening 32 minutes
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 32 mins
17:13 , Luke Baker
Ellis Mee spills a high ball - he wasn’t under any pressure and Wales can ill-afford mistakes like that. Springboks scrum just outside the 22.
Reinach darts from the base and makes 10 metres or so. Pieter-Steph Du Toit then goes for the line but he’s pulled back for offside by the ref. Still a Boks penalty and it’s kicked to the corner
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 29 mins
17:10 , Luke Baker
A few handling errors from South Africa. The ball is greasy in these humid conditions but that’s definitely something to tidy up.
Another one leads to a Welsh scrum on their own 22 as an attacking opportunity is squandered. The Welsh scrum goes backwards but Wainwright quickly picks up from the back and takes the tackle. Decent exit kick from Williams to halfway.
WATCH: Springboks score two early tries
17:09 , Luke Baker
Here’s the two Springboks scores so far
Springboks are off the mark!
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) July 18, 2026
Jasper Wiese with the carry evades the tackles of Jac Morgan and Rhys Carre and South Africa have an early lead 🇿🇦#NationsChampionship pic.twitter.com/JaRFObaIdT
The power of the Springboks 😤
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) July 18, 2026
A Welsh scrum is heaved backwards to their own try-line, which Wainwright is forced to ground. It's then the turn of South Africa, who in an instant get it out the back and Cobus Reinach scores the try 💪#NationsChampionship pic.twitter.com/fMd7DTOgdX
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 27 mins
17:08 , Luke Baker
Dillon Lewis into the maul at the side, Springboks penalty and to the corner they go.
They get the maul rolling from the lineout but Wales turn the ball over! Tomos Williams emerges with it and goes a few metres. He then box kicks clear into the South African half.
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 25 mins
17:06 , Luke Baker
The best Welsh scrum for a while, holds firm in their own 22 with their own put-in. Allows Edwards to thump a kick clear. It’s still in the Welsh half, mind.
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 23 mins
17:05 , Luke Baker
Marx with a powerful carry into the 22 but Wiese knocks the ball on in contact - good hit by Wainwright.
In fairness, Wales are battling here and they’ve stopped the flow of tries (for now). What they wouldn’t give for some ball in hand in Springboks territory though!
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 21 mins
17:03 , Luke Baker
Oooh, the Springboks err at the lineout, not straight, so a Welsh scrum.
It’s in their own 22 though and they immediately go backwards again. They do manage to retrieve the ball and kick clear near-ish halfway. They haven’t been out of their own half...
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 20 mins
17:02 , Luke Baker
Relentless from the Springboks. Moyo dives full length to flick a ball back into play in his own half, then scrambles back on to the pitch, dives on the ball, gets to his feet and runs forward. He is exciting!
Pop pass from Moyo to Fassi, who kicks ahead with Arendse chasing and Wales are in their own 22 again. Great defensive work by Blair Murray, who picks the ball up and stays alive long enough for help to arrive, so no turn over. Wales can then desperately hack clear.
Penalty shortly after though and Moyo kicks to the corner...
South Africa 14-0 Wales, 17 mins
16:59 , Luke Baker
Jasper Wiese turns the ball over on halfway and Reinach piongs a glorious kick right into the corner. Jac Morgan retreats, collects the ball and is tackled but it’s deemed a high tackle. Tough call but relief for Wales!
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 14-0 Wales (Cobus Reinach, 14 mins)
16:56 , Luke Baker
Predictable and easy for South Africa. First-phase strike from the dominant scrum.
Cobus Reinach picks up and runs right, dummies a pass and slides through a gap to the line. Simple. This is so ominous for the Welsh...
South Africa 7-0 Wales, 13 mins
16:54 , Luke Baker
Cobus Wiese with a barrelling carry deep into the 22 this time but Wales then win a scrum on their own line. Reprieve? Not against this Boks pack...
The Welsh scrum is pulverised, driven back over their own line and No 8 Aaron Wainwright just dives on the ball. Concedes a five-metre scrum but avoids a try. Not much he could do...
South Africa 7-0 Wales, 11 mins
16:52 , Luke Baker
De Allende with a dominant tackle, Marx gets over the ball and South Africa win the penalty. Lineout on the 22 to build from...
South Africa 7-0 Wales, 10 mins
16:51 , Luke Baker
South Africa go over the top of a lineout to Moyo but the fly half encroached within ten metres before the throw and is pinged. Not a perfect start to his international career for the youngster - some early struggles.
South Africa 7-0 Wales, 8 mins
16:50 , Luke Baker
File this under ‘unsurprising news’. First scrum of the day, in the Springboks 22, and South Africa win a penalty as Dillon Lewis is pinged for collapsing it.
It’s an awfully big task for this young Welsh pack today.
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 7-0 Wales (Jasper Wiese, 5 mins)
16:47 , Luke Baker
Too good but too easy for the Springboks. De Allende fights for a couple of extra metres on the 22.
Jasper Wiese then runs a nice line on the crash ball. He slips through a poor double tackle by Carre and Morgan - arm tackle and they fall off him.
From there the No 8 shows his power, churns his legs to drive Edwards backwards and stretches out to dot down. Unstoppable.
Conversion added and the Springboks are up and running
South Africa 0-0 Wales, 4 mins
16:45 , Luke Baker
Murray retreating in his own 22 under pressure from Reinach and he does well to retain possession.
But the Springboks build from halfway shortly after and quickly move to the 22.
South Africa 0-0 Wales, 3 mins
16:43 , Luke Baker
Wiese with a barrelling carry before Moyo goes to the air with an up-and-under. Not brilliantly directed and Wales gather but a poor box-kick from Tomos Williams follows.
Moyo tries again with the boot but this is too far and caught in the 22, with a mark. Frankly, that is a sub-standard bout of kick-tennis from both teams. Not international quality.
South Africa 0-0 Wales, 2mins
16:42 , Luke Baker
Wales win back the opening kick-off before launching a kick high into the air to challenge the Boks. First test passed for the hosts, cleanly caught and they immediately win a penalty at the breakdown.
Early touch for debutant No 10 Vusi Moyo as he kicks to touch
KICK-OFF! South Africa v Wales
16:41 , Luke Baker
It’s humid, it’s sticky, and the Springboks will be licking their lips! What a mountain of a task for Wales.
Dan Edwards hoofs the ball into the air to get us underway in Durban
South Africa v Wales teams
16:38 , Luke Baker
A reminder of the teams as we approach kick-off. The Springboks much-changed again and 20-year-old fly half Vusi Moyo will be a fascinating watch on debut.
Meanwhile, Louis Rees-Zammit starts on the wing for Wales, Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn are a new midfield and Dewi Lake captains from hooker after an injury scare
South Africa XV: 1 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Carlu Sadie; 4 Cobus Wiese, 5 Ruben van Heerden; 6 Paul de Villiers, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt.), 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Vusi Moyo; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Jaco Williams; 15 Aphelele Fassi.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Marco van Staden; 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Damian Willemse.
Wales XV: 1 Rhys Carre, 2 Dewi Lake (capt.), 3 Dillon Lewis; 4 Teddy Williams, 5 Adam Beard; 6 Alex Mann, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Aaron Wainwright; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Dan Edwards; 11 Josh Adams, 12 Ben Thomas, 13 Max Llewellyn, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit; 15 Blair Murray.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 James Botham; 22 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 23 Joe Hawkins.
Springboks ready to go
16:34 , Luke Baker
The teams are coming out on to the pitch. This could be a fun one
Coin toss done, Wales to kick off. Good luck for the Test @WelshRugbyUnion 🪙
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 18, 2026
Follow the action live in our match centre: https://t.co/4XF56B7wzy 🏉#ForeverGreenForeverGold #Springboks pic.twitter.com/p9DUbZTqUS
South Africa vs Wales match officials
16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)
ARs: Pierre Brousset (Fra) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ire)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Can Wales match South Africa up front?
16:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Wales’ set-piece has been really solid so far this July, with Dewi Lake’s darts on the money and the maul turning into a weapon. Obviously the task is taller today, and the scrum could be a fascinating battle – Carlu Sadie may be on debut but has proven himself as one of Europe’s best scrummagers with Bordeaux Begles, while Nicky Smith against Wilco Louw could be a great head-to-head when each of the replacements is introduced. South Africa are facing something of a lock crisis, though debutant Ruben van Heerden is hardly a newbie – he’s got plenty of experience in Super Rugby, the URC and the Prem from his stint with Exeter.
Midfield movement
16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
This feels a huge opportunity for Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn today. Joe Hawkins and Eddie James have been going well for Wales but Steve Tandy spoke of being keen to see what his second-choice centre pairing could offer, with the duo possessing similarly complementary skills with a playmaker at 12 and carrier at 13.
The problem, of course, is that Wales may well be on the back foot a fair bit today, and Thomas and Llewellyn are up against one of the best centre pairings of all time. Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel have done this so many times before, and it’ll be a huge help for Vusi Moyo to have two men of such experience alongside him.
A Springboks fly half for the future…or now?
16:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
In another world, Vusi Moyo would be in Tbilisi this weekend looking to steer South Africa’s Under 20s to another Junior World Championship crown in the final of the age-grade competition against France. Instead, Moyo will make his Test debut at 10 inside a month of turning 20 as Rassie Erasmus looks to a fly half of the future against Wales.
It could be that Moyo has a bigger role over the next 18 months than it might first appear. One dares not write Handre Pollard off but the veteran hasn’t necessarily convinced in recent outings, while Manie Libbok has a few flaws in his game and has never quite seemed trusted in the very biggest games by the Springboks. It is tough to see Moyo, highly rated by good judges, usurping Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu but with the Stormer currently injured, and five more Tests to come in short order, the youngster could yet be busy.
Team news – Wales
15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Dewi Lake has overcome a fitness fright to captain a Welsh side freshened up by Steve Tandy. Lock Ben Carter injured an ankle in training so Teddy Williams is alongside Adam Beard in the second row, while Alex Mann returns on the flank opposite Jac Morgan.
There is a new midfield as Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn are given opportunities in Joe Hawkins and Eddie James’ stead, while Louis Rees-Zammit starts on the wing.
Wales XV: 1 Rhys Carre, 2 Dewi Lake (capt.), 3 Dillon Lewis; 4 Teddy Williams, 5 Adam Beard; 6 Alex Mann, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Aaron Wainwright; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Dan Edwards; 11 Josh Adams, 12 Ben Thomas, 13 Max Llewellyn, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit; 15 Blair Murray.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 James Botham; 22 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 23 Joe Hawkins.
Team news – South Africa
15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There are four uncapped inclusions in the Springboks’ side, including a new fly-half in Vusi Moyo. The 20-year-old playmaker has experience around him at No 10, and a club colleague also on debut in the form of Jaco Williams, who starts on the wing.
Up front, tighthead prop Carlu Sadie has impressed for Bordeaux Begles over the last few seasons, while Montpellier lock Ruben van Heerden is another new face from the Top 14. Pieter-Steph du Toit skippers the side in the absence of Siya Kolisi once again.
South Africa XV: 1 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Carlu Sadie; 4 Cobus Wiese, 5 Ruben van Heerden; 6 Paul de Villiers, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt.), 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Vusi Moyo; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Jaco Williams; 15 Aphelele Fassi.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Marco van Staden; 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Damian Willemse.
Team news on the way...
15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Officially Hollywoodbets Kings Park, and colloquially known as the Shark Tank, today’s venue may lack the majesty or magic of Ellis Park or Loftus Versfeld but is a nonetheless impressive place to play. No altitude to worry about, of course, at a beachside ground – Wales have been beaten on their previous two visits here, including a 38-16 defeat in 2014. A good Welsh side that, too, with a massive backline: Phillips, Biggar, North, Roberts, Davies, Cuthbert, Williams. Phwoar.
We’ll look at today’s protagonists in a moment.
A big year for the Springboks
15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It is odd to think that these July Tests are very much the second focus of the home season for South Africa. There are still three encounters with the All Blacks to come for the Springboks on home soil – and a game in Baltimore, too, as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry launches.
Why are South Africa and New Zealand playing in Baltimore? The inside story
Nations Championship schedule, results, kick-off times and how to watch
15:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
We’re nearly at an end in the first phase of the Nations Championship, with the competition pressing pause after this weekend before resuming in September. Here’s all of the results so far and the fixtures to come in the competition.
Nations Championship schedule, results, kick-off times and how to watch
Steve Tandy ready for physical encounter
15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Wales boss Steve Tandy knows his side will have to ratchet up the physicality today.
“It’s definitely going to be a physical encounter, you see the set-piece, every breakdown.
“It’s going to be an awesome opportunity for us to pitch up against South Africa and test ourselves against the best team in the world in their own home. It’s going to be exciting for us but we know what they bring.
“I’ve loved the year, it’s been awesome for me, I’ve loved getting to know the boys. I think we’re developing as a team and finishing off our season with a game against the world champions is outstanding for us and another opportunity to experience different things.”
Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth apologises for eye gouge after ban — but says it was ‘never intentional’
15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Eben Etzebeth is not involved today after picking up an injury before the England game, though Alex Mann, the gougee, is. Etzebeth did apologise for the incident after being handed a lengthy ban.
Eben Etzebeth apologises for ‘never intentional’ eye gouge after receiving long ban
Their last meeting...
14:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The last meeting between the pair was unedifying in so many ways, a one-sided clash never really a contest and marred by a moment of madness from Eben Etzebeth.
South Africa deal Wales record home defeat but ugly Eben Etzebeth eye gouge mars win
Steve Tandy freshens up Wales side
14:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Steve Tandy has freshened up his Wales team for today’s Nations Championship clash with South Africa in Durban.
Tandy has made six changes from the side beaten 35-21 by Argentina last weekend, with Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Dan Edwards, Ben Thomas, Max Llewellyn and Louis Rees-Zammit coming in.
Captain Dewi Lake is fit to start having been a doubt with a groin injury this week but Ben Carter misses out with an ankle problem suffered in training on Wednesday.
Tandy has broken up the established centre pairing of Eddie James and Joe Hawkins, with Thomas and Llewellyn coming in.
“I think it’s a bit of freshness in the centres,” said the Wales head coach. “I thought the combination with Joe and Eddie has been excellent for us but we feel Max and Ben deserve an opportunity.
“Max I thought did really well for us in the autumn, unfortunately he got injured, and then Ben has responded really well since being left out from the England game.
“It’s exciting for us. Moving things around, freshening up, there’s lots of travel. And obviously it’s the back end of the season so it’s a good opportunity for us to try a few different combinations.”
Wales train in Durban before Springboks Test
14:30 , Jack Rathborn
Springboks name uncapped quartet in team to face Wales
14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There are four new faces for the Springboks today – here’s what you need to know:
Springboks name uncapped quartet in team to face Wales
South Africa vs Wales LIVE
Friday 17 July 2026 08:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa and Wales collide on the final weekend of the first phase of rugby’s new Nations Championship as the Springboks bid to complete a clean sweep in July. England, emphatically, and Scotland – rather more squeakily – have been seen off by the world champions already – can Wales spring a shock?
Kick off is at 4.40pm BST.
