The Springboks ran rampant to deal Wales a record defeat in Cardiff — but South Africa’s 73-0 victory was marred by Eben Etzebeth’s sending off for eye-gouging late on.
A tough year for the hosts ended with a predictably one-sided thrashing as Steve Tandy’s underhanded side were brushed aside by the world champions. Tandy had been unable to pick any of his foreign-based players with this fixture falling outside of World Rugby’s Test window, and the Springboks, missing several stars themselves, took advantage. There were 11 tries in all, with a fearsome forward pack in total control, allowing Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Andre Esterhuizen particularly to impress behind the scrum as Wales suffered a heaviest ever defeat at home.
But what should have been a happy end to a year in which South Africa have separated themselves from the rest was spoiled as Etzebeth directed a thumb into the eye of Alex Mann, the Wales flanker. Referee Luc Ramos rightly showed the veteran lock a straight red card, and a long ban surely beckons.
Follow all of the latest from the Principality Stadium with our live blog below:
Wales vs South Africa
- South Africa tear Wales apart in record thrashing
- A 73-0 win is marred by Eben Etzebeth's eye-gouge late on
- TRY! Wales 0-21 SOUTH AFRICA (Jasper Wiese, 31 minutes)
- TRY! Wales 0-28 SOUTH AFRICA (Morne van den Berg, 44 minutes)
- TRY! Wales 0-35 SOUTH AFRICA (Wilco Louw, 43 minutes)
- TRY! Wales 0-42 SOUTH AFRICA (Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 47 minutes)
- TRY! Wales 0-49 SOUTH AFRICA (Canan Moodie, 50 minutes)
- TRY! Wales 0-54 SOUTH AFRICA (Andre Esterhuizen, 54 minutes)
- TRY! Wales 0-61 SOUTH AFRICA (Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 64 minutes)
- TRY! Wales 0-68 SOUTH AFRICA (Ruan Nortje, 69 minutes)
- RED CARD! Eben Etzebeth is sent off! Wales 0-73 South Africa, 79 minutes
How many games could Eben Etzebeth miss after red card?
17:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat really wasn’t good at all from Eben Etzebeth.
How many games could Eben Etzebeth miss after red card for eye gouge?
South Africa inflict record home defeat on Wales but ugly Eben Etzebeth eye gouge mars win
17:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales suffered a record 73-0 thumping to South Africa as Welsh rugby ended a miserable year with further humiliation in Cardiff.
Steve Tandy's under-strength side simply had no answer to the Springboks' power game that produced 11 tries at Principality Stadium and Wales' heaviest-ever defeat on home soil.
There was an unsavoury end to the contest as replacement Eben Etzebeth was red-carded for gouging Alex Mann's eye.
South Africa deal Wales record home defeat but ugly Eben Etzebeth eye gouge mars win
Wales scrum half Kieran Hardy speaks to S4C
17:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle"The boys are disappointed and we thought we started well, but ultimately the South Africans showed their class.
"We just didn’t stay in the game, every opportunity we didn’t take.
"That was a tough game. There’s a lot of us that haven’t played and we’re very disappointed with that."
Andre Esterhuizen speaks to TNT Sports
17:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle“Obviously a very tough game to end the tour on. it’s been five long weeks and we are very happy with this win. A clean sweep for this tour, we’ve worked very hard for it and happy we’ve got the rewards.
“Whatever team we pick each week, everyone knows their role and steps up. Everyone trusts each other, and who ever steps in plays well, and we play together.
“When you come to Wales, you expect a team that never gives up. We knew we had to dig deep for this one.”
FULL TIME: Wales 0-73 South Africa
17:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleA frosty handshake between Eben Etzebeth and Alex Mann, who directs a few words in the direction of the Springboks lock. Understandably, you’d say.
FULL TIME: Wales 0-73 South Africa
17:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Wales 0-73 South Africa, 80 minutes
17:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Springboks survive the last offensive. They have dealt Wales, perhaps predictably, a record defeat at home.
Wales 0-73 South Africa, 79 minutes
17:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales miss touch with the penalty.
What a peculiar action from Eben Etzebeth. There is never any excuse for that sort of behaviour, but at 73-0 up in a game like this? Truly extraordinary.
South Africa are offside soon after that missed touch. Callum Sheedy makes amends as Wales seek to finish a tough afternoon with a flourish.
RED CARD! Eben Etzebeth is sent off! Wales 0-73 South Africa, 79 minutes
17:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat’s horrible. A thumb pressed into the eye of Alex Mann by Eben Etzebeth, who is rightly given his marching orders. A straight red card.
Ugly from Etzebeth. A long ban may well beckon.
Wales 0-73 South Africa, 79 minutes
17:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleA fight! One would suggest that such a skirmish is needless at this juncture, but they are properly going at it, Eben Etzebeth perhaps a foolish individual for Alex Mann to take on. The combative Wales flanker won’t leave it alone; young Zachary Porthen plays the peace-maker.
Wales aren’t at all happy with something. Mann and Etzebeth are called into the headmaster’s office - now now, was there a gouge from the Springboks lock? This looks very, very ugly indeed...
Wales 0-73 South Africa, 78 minutes
17:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleYoung Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan will get two minutes at the end of the massacre. Dewi Lake takes leave.
Wales 0-73 South Africa, 77 minutes
17:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlmost an absolute burglary! The Springboks are a little lackadaisical with their handling in midfield and the ball spills free. Joe Roberts hacks it onwards and Canan Moodie tries to watch it into touch, but Ellis Mee manages to toe it on. He very nearly beats Damian Willemse to it, but the full-back safely steers it over the dead-ball line.
Wales 0-73 South Africa, 76 minutes
17:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa are sticking to their processes. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu rakes a punt in behind the Wales backfield, forcing a hurried clearance into touch. A Springboks lineout 35 metres out.
TRY! Wales 0-73 SOUTH AFRICA (Eben Etzebeth, 75 minutes)
16:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a bit like the nasty bits of a nature documentary. South Africa shove Wales back over their own ball, and Eben Etzebeth soon capitalises with an 11th try.
Or does he? The TMO wants to check...all good. It was a potential off the ball tackle from Cobus Reinach at that scrum, but Morgan Morse had already picked up the ball before the scrum half crunched him.
Wales 0-68 South Africa, 73 minutes
16:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleCredit to Danny Wilson, Wales’s forward coach - which feels a strange thing to say at this juncture, but the hosts’ maul defence has been outstanding today. That’s the former Harlequins boss’s area of expertise, and his charges stall a Springboks drive again to earn a scrum five metres from their own line.
Wales 0-68 South Africa, 71 minutes
16:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales get a lucky bounce of the ball after Canan Moodie can’t quite corral a high hoist. They play a few phases but Kwagga Smith wins a turnover penalty.
Damian Willemse misses touch; Andre Esterhuizen jackals again strongly to earn the referee’s whistle. It’s repetitive and relentless. Into the corner the Springboks plough.
TRY! Wales 0-68 SOUTH AFRICA (Ruan Nortje, 69 minutes)
16:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleA temporary reprieve.
This isn’t really a contest any more, if it ever was. Ruan Nortje has a fellow Springbok behemoth for company as he shunts over the line.
Wales 0-61 South Africa, 68 minutes
16:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe peep of Luc Ramos’s whistle halts Damian Willemse as he goes to ground in the corner, a forward pass from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu spotted. Willemse seems to hurt his back slightly as he shows off with an acrobatic finish, but will be alright to continue.
The Springboks had a penalty, anyway, earned at the scrum.
Wales 0-61 South Africa, 66 minutes
16:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis is some Springboks side, which almost goes without saying. Eben Etzebeth quite superbly hares after a Cobus Reinach box kick and claims high above the hopeful Welsh backfield. Obscene athleticism from the veteran second row, - that’s not meant to be his job.
Wales 0-61 South Africa, 65 minutes
16:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleRio Dyer is engulfed by Asenathi Ntlabakanye, the wing not perhaps expecting to find the giant tighthead in a wide channel and taken for a ride in the prop’s arms.
Blair Murray is replaced by Ben Thomas, who looks to be going to full-back.
TRY! Wales 0-61 SOUTH AFRICA (Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 64 minutes)
16:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleA second for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Under the posts the Wales players shake their heads, another score inevitably secured by South Africa’s livewire fly half. It all came from another thumping Andre Esterhuizen carry.
Wales 0-54 South Africa, 62 minutes
16:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleReplacement Wales tighthead Christian Coleman was injured in that set piece, forcing Keiron Assiratti to return as Wales lay their defences again inside the 22.
Wales 0-54 South Africa, 62 minutes
16:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleZachary Porthen has, by my records, never played loosehead prop at either senior or U20 level - inevitably, he earns a scrum penalty at his first skirmish at the position in Test rugby. The Springboks rate the 21-year-old incredibly highly - normally a tighthead, he might well be a star of the future.
Wales 0-54 South Africa, 61 minutes
16:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleLock James Ratti joins the Welsh effort with about three minutes left to run on Aaron Wainwright’s card. Centre Joe Roberts fills in on the flank of a scrum with Taine Plumtree stationed at No 8.
Wales 0-54 South Africa, 60 minutes
16:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa hold firm. Andre Esterhuizen has been superb all afternoon and latches over the top of an exposed Welsh carrier to win a jackal penalty. Dewi Lake was thumped after taking a tap and Wales never really gathered momentum thereafter.
Aaron Wainwright’s yellow card will remain. The degree of danger is not deemed to be high.
Wales 0-54 South Africa, 58 minutes
16:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleCome on then, Wales, what have you got? They toil through a few phases before earning penalty advantage.
Back for it they will come when the movement stalls. Kwagga Smith has taken over the South Africa captaincy and is warned about his side’s conduct.
Wales 0-54 South Africa, 56 minutes
16:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales have got a bit of joy with the cross kick today, usually a good option against the Springboks’ blitz defence. Ellis Mee takes the first attempt on the right before Rio Dyer claims Callum Sheedy’s effort back the other way. He connects with Blair Murray, who is soon felled, but Kwagga Smith goes off his feet at the ruck. Sheedy prods his forwards towards the left corner in search of breaking the Welsh duck.
Wales 0-54 South Africa, 55 minutes
16:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleTaine Plumtree is finally back amongst things, swapping roles with Aaron Wainwright as the No 8 replaces him on the naughty step. You’d think that will stay a yellow card given there wasn’t heaps of force in it, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was dipping slightly, but logic hasn’t always seemed to prevail this November.
TRY! Wales 0-54 SOUTH AFRICA (Andre Esterhuizen, 54 minutes)
16:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd in the left corner, Andre Esterhuizen finishes the try off after a sweeping move!
Crisp, clean passing to finish it off - and Aaron Wainwright looks to be in disciplinary bother, too. Off to the sin bin the No 8 is sent after a high tackle on Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, with that incident requiring further review in the TMO bunker.
The try stands, of course. Feinberg-Mngomezulu finally misses one from the tee as the Springboks hit 50.
Wales 0-49 South Africa, 53 minutes
16:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleStill Wales wait for the return of Taine Plumtree. A nifty chip from Blair Murray looks promising but Damian Willemse, so good all year at covering, is there in the nick of time to beat him to the bouncing ball.
Not content merely with being a sweeper, Willemse immediately sparks South Africa into life, freeing Ethan Hooker down the right.
Wales 0-49 South Africa, 52 minutes
16:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleCallum Sheedy, meanwhile, is on for Wales, but throws a slightly loose pass to end another passage of promise for the hosts.
Wales 0-49 South Africa, 51 minutes
16:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleOn they come: Bongi Mbonambi, Zachary Porthen, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Eben Etzebeth, Marco van Staden, Ben-Jason Dixon, Kwagga Smith and Cobus Reinach. Eight Springboks have obviously come off, with Siya Kolisi amongst them.
Wales 0-49 South Africa, 50 minutes
16:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis could get ugly now - if it hasn’t already. All eight Springboks replacements are stripped and ready for entry into the contest, Eben Etzebeth towering over the rest as he prepares to win his 141st cap.
TRY! Wales 0-49 SOUTH AFRICA (Canan Moodie, 50 minutes)
16:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleOh, Wales. They were really starting to threaten there, South Africa seemingly under-resourced on the left edge of their defence. But a wild fling fell to floor, and Canan Moodie was sharpest to react - he just about manages to get the ball down under pressure from Morgan Morse, showing admirable heart and impressive speed to get back.
Try? Wales 0-42 South Africa, 49 minutes
16:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleA loose pass and Canan Moodie races clear! Three hacks ahead take the South Africa wing to the line - but did he fumble initially or as he grounded? TMO Eric Gauzins will have a look...
Wales 0-42 South Africa, 49 minutes
16:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleCan Wales find something? They are still down to 14 but Ruan Nortje infringes at a ruck to grant them a penalty. Kieran Hardy taps it quickly, injecting tempo.
TRY! Wales 0-42 SOUTH AFRICA (Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 47 minutes)
16:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleHe’s just so sharp! Wales are, perhaps slightly harshly, penalised for not rolling away and switch off ever so briefly. A snap-second is enough, though, for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to scoop up the loose ball, tap, go, and zip under the posts, weaving between retreating Welsh defenders rendered powerless to stop him by the speed of his thought and feet. The fly half pops over the extras.
Wales 0-35 South Africa, 45 minutes
16:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat might the Springboks do with a man advantage? Keiron Assiratti is replaced by Christian Coleman on the tighthead.
Dan Edwards tries something funky with the restart, short and low. Welsh hands get to it but only thanks to a tackle off the ball. Back down towards the hosts’ 22 South Africa kick.
TRY! Wales 0-35 SOUTH AFRICA (Wilco Louw, 43 minutes)
16:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleBad to worse for Wales - a fifth try for South Africa and a yellow card, too!
There was just no way to quell the Springboks’ surge. Again, Wales do a decent job against the maul but once those forwards come rumbling on to Morne van der Berg’s zippy passes, there was no halting them. Taine Plumtree is sent to the sin bin for an accumulation of offside penalties after Wilco Louw provides the finishing touch from short range.
Wales 0-28 South Africa, 43 minutes
16:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleWainwright is heading off, with one eye closed and blood pouring from the socket. Not good - it is a blood injury for now but you’d imagine his race might be run.
Morgan Morse is on for his second cap. His first act will be forming part of a defensive lineout with his heels on the chalk of the Welsh five-metre line.
Wales 0-28 South Africa, 42 minutes
16:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleNot a great start for Wales, offside in phase play early in the second half - and there’s a Welshman down in need of treatment, too. Aaron Wainwright, it seems - he’s been in the wars this autumn.
Second half...
16:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa were asked to make just 27 tackles attempts in that first half. They did miss three of them, mind.
Wales’s figures? 102 and 10. A decent completion rate, it must be said. Will it be more of the same in the second half? Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets proceedings back underway.
HT: Wales 0-28 South Africa
16:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleFor what it is worth, England were 26 points up at half time here during the Six Nations, while France also had a four converted-try lead over Wales in Paris earlier in that campaign. The worry is that South Africa have seven fresh forwards still to come on.
An unstoppable scrum, slick footwork from Jasper Wiese, and a calm dot-down to finish it off 😉
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HT: Wales 0-28 South Africa
16:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell, the kindest thing you can say is that it’s been about as we expected. Wales have battled hard at times but are simply no match for the physicality that South Africa possess - it will frustrate Steve Tandy that his side haven’t managed to be accurate enough to consistently threaten with ball in hand but they’ve had reasonably few chances.
HALF TIME: Wales 0-28 South Africa
15:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle
TRY! Wales 0-28 SOUTH AFRICA (Morne van den Berg, 44 minutes)
15:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleCreated by the giants, finished by the littl’un!
A route one score from South Africa. The scrum is dominant, allowing Morne van den Berg the chance to whip the ball out into midfield to Andre Esterhuizen, who rampages right over Dan Edwards. Around the corner thumps a forward carrier to within a metre, allowing Van den Berg to pierce the try line a phase late like a spear fisherman.
Wales 0-21 South Africa, 41 minutes
15:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd South Africa will end the half on the offensive. From deep in their own territory they break even with the clock in the red, showing plenty of ambition. Into the Welsh 22 they venture and draw a penalty; Wales captain Dewi Lake is warned by the referee for persistent offside offences from his team.
Wales 0-21 South Africa, 40 minutes
15:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlmost! A clever crosskick from Dan Edwards out to the wing is just about in the path of Ellis Mee, who tries to control his fly hack onwards. Alas, his touch is more Ashley Williams than Gareth Bale, put into Row Z.
Wales 0-21 South Africa, 38 minutes
15:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleStern defence from Wales! South Africa try a couple of tactics, first sending large men repeatedly around the corner and then a few quicker blokes sweeping around the back. Neither works - Rio Dyer dumps Damian Willemse on his behind and a well-timed counter-ruck earns a penalty.
Wales 0-21 South Africa, 36 minutes
15:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleA little Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu through ball off his weaker left peg looks good for a moment, though always has a little too much oomph for Canan Moodie to keep in. Wales’s lineout drill is better executed, but Kieran Hardy’s shallow clearance means they cannot escape their own 22.
Wales 0-21 South Africa, 35 minutes
15:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleOh no. There’s a rumble of expectation around the Principality Stadium as the Wales forwards traipse down for a lineout, but Dewi Lake overthrows a hoisted Alex Mann, and Dan Edwards is then penalised for holding on having slid in to sweep up the mess in midfield.
Wales 0-21 South Africa, 33 minutes
15:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales haven’t really mustered much in attack so far. A knock on from South Africa after they win yet another aerial contest provides a scrum inside the Springboks half from which the hosts will wish to go to work.
And a penalty on the engagement goes Wales’s way! “Too much pressure,” referee Luc Ramos informs them - that’s the second time, so the free kick is upgraded to a penalty.
TRY! Wales 0-21 SOUTH AFRICA (Jasper Wiese, 31 minutes)
15:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn inexorable scrum drive and down drops Jasper Wiese’s meaty paw to finish it off!
We saw Ireland’s scrum pushed repeatedly into the grinder last week but there’s no extended torture for Wales here, their eight shoved most decisively back with Wiese showing off neat footwork at the base. He keeps control until the line is crossed, making the finish as simple as you like.
No try! Wales 0-14 South Africa, 30 minutes
15:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleIs Ethan Hooker over for a second? No, rule the officials, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s pass out to the wing ruled forward.
There is a penalty to come back to, though. Siya Kolisi brings his hands together to signal for the scrum option under the posts.
Wales 0-14 South Africa, 28 minutes
15:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales just need to keep their discipline, though. South Africa don’t have much momentum yet Luc Ramos’s arm is out, the referee unhappy with a Welsh tackler who hasn’t rolled away. Back into advanced territory they head via the boot of their fly half.
Wales 0-14 South Africa, 27 minutes
15:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd that’s a handy escape from Wales. No 8 Aaron Wainwright extracts in a flash, sensibly, and just about gets away. Kieran Hardy skies his box kick, yet Canan Moodie can’t track it over his shoulder, and fumbles into touch on the Wales 22-metre line.
Wales 0-14 South Africa, 25 minutes
15:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleTurnover! Excellent maul defence from Wales, fighting through to the ball through the massed Springboks shirts and thus not entitled to move when it comes, legally, to floor. Scrum, their feed.
Wales 0-14 South Africa, 24 minutes
15:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere’s a hook this time from Springboks hooker Johan Grobbelaar - and, almost inevitably, a penalty earned, too. To the corner they’ll head, following Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s punt.
Wales 0-14 South Africa, 23 minutes
15:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleA chasing Blair Murray catches Damian Willemse high after a long Wales kick. Penalty to the Springboks, with Wales struggling to maintain pressure.
Ellis Mee then knocks on in the air.
Wales 0-14 South Africa, 20 minutes
15:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleJean Kleyn is penalised for offside as Wales attempt to clear. The lock is involved today at Munster’s discretion, the Irish province deciding that they were happy to him to feature. Leinster took a different approach with RG Snyman, who made a typically immense, and try-scoring, impact in their win over the Dragons in the URC last night.
Wales 0-14 South Africa, 19 minutes
15:32 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlmost! South Africa load the midfield with burly blokes as they play off the top of the lineout, but the phalanx are merely a decoy. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu dummies and darts between would-be tacklers, but Gareth Thomas gets just enough to slow and stall him. The offload to Siya Kolisi is good but the next phase is hurried, and South African hands knock on.
Wales 0-14 South Africa, 18 minutes
15:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales send something skywards but Gareth Thomas is picked up for a high tackle on Damian Willemse after the full-back claims.
Wales 0-14 South Africa, 17 minutes
15:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell well well. Johan Grobbelaar is free kicked for failing to hook the ball, perhaps simply expecting the Springboks to drive over it. Fair play to referee Luc Ramos for picking it up.
Wales 0-14 South Africa, 15 minutes
15:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleOh dear. A look of regret from Dan Edwards as he puts the restart out on the full. Not ideal. The Springboks will scrum, obviously.
TRY! Wales 0-14 SOUTH AFRICA (Ethan Hooker, 14 minutes)
15:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleA mighty scrum and a first-phase strike!
Ethan Hooker finishes a job started by that Springboks pack. Penalty advantage is drawn and the Wales back row are understandably slow to get off the base. Neat handling from the inside backs creates room on the right edge for Damian Willemse and Hooker, with the full-back getting his timing right to spring the stomping wing.
Hooker beats a couple of limp tackle attempts and weaves inwards to make Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s conversion simpler. The fly half obliges; South Africa extend their lead.
Wales 0-7 South Africa, 13 minutes
15:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleAh, that’s a shame. Blair Murray finds open acreage beyond the Springboks backfield with Damian Willemse a little slow to come across. It’s about five yards from being perfectly placed into the corner but rumbles on instead in-goal and, eventually, out into touch, with Willemse a patient shepherd.
All the way back for a Springboks scrum they will come 15 metres inside the Wales half.
Wales 0-7 South Africa, 11 minutes
15:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat’s bright from Joe Roberts. If there is a worry with this Springboks backline today, it might be the lack of lateral mobility in the centres, and Roberts shows a good burst of speed to get to the edge of Damian de Allende. That forces Canan Moodie to bite in but Roberts can’t quite extract an offload to send Ellis Mee onwards down the tramlines. Still, though, a sign of how Wales can threaten when they have the ball.
TRY! Wales 0-7 SOUTH AFRICA (Gerhard Steenekamp, 9 minutes)
15:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd over go South Africa! A sustained spell of phases had taken its toll in wearying the Welsh forwards. Keiron Assiratti and Gareth Thomas don’t quite get their positions right in the guard and bodyguard positions adjacent to the ruck, opening a gaping hole through which Gerhard Steenekamp lunges to the line.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu adds the extras.
Wales 0-0 South Africa, 8 minutes
15:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales stall the maul but here come the heavy artillery, Springboks forwards thundering around the corner. A neat offload from Andre Esterhuizen generates more momentum and Siya Kolisi powers onward.
Wales 0-0 South Africa, 7 minutes
15:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleOr not! Gerhard Steenekamp absolutely munches Keiron Assiratti to earn a scrum penalty with Wales driven back halfway across Cardiff.
Wales 0-0 South Africa, 6 minutes
15:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat’s better work from Wales in the aerial contest, Ellis Mee up above the springy Canan Moodie. South Africa knock on in the tackle soon after, granting the home side a decent attacking platform.
Wales 0-0 South Africa, 4 minutes
15:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales escape the first scrum skirmish with a free kick. Dan Edwards tonks it as far as possible upfield. South Africa reply in kind; the hosts will have a lineout just inside their own half.
Wales 0-0 South Africa, 3 minutes
15:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat happened there? South Africa carve around the blindside, cutting down the near edge of the Welsh defensive line and Canan Moodie breaks into space, with only Ellis Mee in front of him. Moodie drops ball onto toe...or not, as it happens, completely failing to make contact with his attempted chip. Inexplicable.
Wales 0-0 South Africa, 2 minutes
15:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleDewi Lake tosses the lineout over the top into the hands of Alex Mann. An effective exit from Wales thereafter.
Morne van den Berg once again looks aerial, sending the imposing Hooker off in pursuit. And the wing has it once more! He’s towering over the Welsh backfield at the moment.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu looks for a flatter kick option, but Ellis Mee superbly scoops it up off his shoelaces like an outstanding slip fielder.
Wales 0-0 South Africa, 1 minute
15:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleJasper Wiese is the recipient of the opening kick off. Morne van den Berg immediately goes to the air on the back of his carry...and Ethan Hooker taps back his high hoist. That’s a worry for Wales, who have struggled under the high ball this autumn.
Damian Willemse soon puts boot to ball again, grubbering out of play about 25 metres from the Welsh line.
KICK OFF!
15:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleDan Edwards puts boot to ball and we are underway in Cardiff.
Wales vs South Africa
15:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleTwo belting anthems, as one might expect. The Principality Stadium isn’t full quite to the rafters, but there’s a decent crowd in - perhaps more in hope than expectation.
Wales vs South Africa
15:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleCobus Reinach is the first man to emerge, the replacement Springboks scrum half in line to win his 50th cap. 35 and still as sharp as ever, the double World Cup winner.
The rest of the combatants follow him out.
Wales vs South Africa
14:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere’s a rainbow arcing over Cardiff with morning rain clearing, but the roof is firmly shut over the Principality Stadium regardless. The anthems were pretty spectacular ahead of Wales’s clash with New Zealand last week - the players will soon join the choir on the paddock.
Wales vs South Africa match officials
14:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s been a busy autumn for the match officials overseeing Springboks games, a moment of controversy or contention in just about every game South Africa have played. Frenchman Luc Ramos is in charge today; he can count on Matthew Carley, referee in Dublin last week, for support on the touchline.
Referee: Luc Ramos (Fra)
ARs: Matthew Carley (Eng) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
Dan Edwards aims to continue encouraging November
14:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere has been a lot to like about the November campaign of Dan Edwards, just 22 but increasingly secure, it seems, as first-choice Wales No 10. Clearly still a work in progress, his acceleration has been key in some of the side’s best moments in and out of structure, and his kicking game is growing by the week, too. He might have to take on a little extra responsibility with no Tomos Williams in the halves alongside him today, but Joe Hawkins went well on his international return against the All Blacks and offers almost a second set of fly half eyes in the centres.
It hasn’t all come off, clearly, but the Matt Sherratt-drilled Welsh attack has looked a threat throughout the autumn - you’d think they’ll be looking to land a few early punches.
A bulky backline
14:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt wasn’t that long ago that Wales were putting out backs of great size and stature, withh the days of Mike Phillips, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, George North and Alex Cuthbert often giving their backline an imposing look. While perhaps not quite as large as that quintet, the Springboks selection from 10-15 today certainly has some carrying punch, with all of those individuals capable and comfortable in the centres.
Of course, it’s not simply as carriers that South Africa’s backs provide threat: Damian Willemse has an outstanding year and the way he and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu combine in playmaking partnership has helped elevate the attack. But rugby is so often a game of physicality, and you’d expect the visitors to win the gainline more often than not.
Siya Kolisi wary of wounded Wales
14:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa finish their long international season in Cardiff today as they take on a depleted Wales side, and despite having rampaged their way through Europe on a successful tour so far, captain Siya Kolisi is taking nothing for granted.
Both sides ar below strength as the fixture falls outside of the international window and they have had to release players to their clubs.
But the Springboks have the greater depth and can put out a side that still has a bristling potency about it and is brimming with eager young talent.
It makes them heavy favourites, but Kolisi shoots down any thoughts of coasting and lowering the intensity at the Principality Stadium.
"We prepare for every opponent in exactly the same way, and honestly, we don’t have a great record against Wales away. We know how tough they are," Kolisi told reporters on Friday.
"We can’t be arrogant. If we do’t prepare properly, we know what happens. We have to start with intensity, stay within our standards, and give everything. We’re excited."
Team news - South Africa
14:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe out-of-window fixture has depleted South Africa’s stocks, too, with Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit among those to return to their clubs. It’s still a fearsome selection made by Rassie Erasmus, though, with Andre Esterhuizen part of a sizeable backline having also operated as a flanker during this November.
One would think there would be little need for Esterhuizen to reprise that role with seven forwards named on the bench, including Eben Etzebeth. Youngster Zachary Porthen, usually a tighthead, appears to be covering loosehead prop.
South Africa XV: 1 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Franco Mostert, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 13 Damian de Allende, 14 Ethan Hooker, 15 Damian Willemse.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Zachary Porthen, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Ben-Jason Dixon, 22 Kwagga Smith; 23 Cobus Reinach.
Your #Springboks team for the final Test of 2025, tomorrow in Cardiff against Wales 🔥#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/cRkYgpPsB4
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 28, 2025
Team news - Wales
14:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales have lost 13 players, in all, to their clubs in England and France with this fixture occurring outside of World Rugby’s Test window, while Steve Tandy was also dealt a blow with Tom Rogers ruled out by injury after his hat-trick against the All Blacks. Aaron Wainwright is fit, though, to bolster the back row having overcome his hip issue.
Wainwright’s return sees Harri Deaves, a debutant last week, squeezed out of the squad, while Cardiff loosehead Danny Southworth is in line to win his first cap from a bench light on experience.
Wales XV: 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Dewi Lake (capt.), 3 Keiron Assiratti; 4 Ben Carter, 5 Rhys Davies; 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Alex Mann, 8 Aaron Wainwright; 9 Kieran Hardy, 10 Dan Edwards; 11 Rio Dyer, 12 Joe Hawkins, 13 Joe Roberts, 14 Ellis Mee; 15 Blair Murray.
Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Danny Southworth, 18 Chris Coleman, 19 James Ratti, 20 Morgan Morse; 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Callum Sheedy, 23 Ben Thomas.
Team news...
14:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere’s no Jac Morgan, then, and plenty of other high-profile Wales and South Africa stars are unavailable, too. Let’s take a closer look at the two teams...
Jac Morgan set to miss start of Six Nations in major blow for Wales
14:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleGloomy news seems to come with relative regularity in Welsh rugby but the prognosis over Jac Morgan’s injury would have been poorly received - the Wales captain could miss the entirety of the Six Nations after undergoing surgery on the shoulder he injured against Argentina.
Jac Morgan set to miss start of Six Nations in major blow for Wales
Launch of Mike Tindall-backed rugby rebel league R360 postponed to 2028
13:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleSpeaking of things that are slightly mad, the proposed R360 rebel league suffered another significant setback this week when organisers confirmed that its launch had been delayed until 2028. They still insist that they have more than 200 leading players signed up, and have officially announced their non-executive chairman, but it will be a while yet before we hear more news of the Mike Tindall-backed venture.
New Nations Championship finals could be ‘three-day Super Bowl’ of rugby — but Twickenham will need new pitch
13:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe finals weekend sounds, if we’re honest, slightly made - six games in three days at the home of English rugby, with fixtures confirmed just a week in advance. And Twickenham will need a new pitch...
RFU claims Nations Championship finals could be ‘Super Bowl’ of rugby
What is rugby's new Nations Championship?
13:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s two years since the Nations Championship was announced in the week of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, but still there are a few details that are sketchy about the new competition. What we do know is that the inaugural finals will be held at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium next November, while Wales are due to travel to South Africa to face the Springboks again in July.
What is the Nations Championship? Rugby’s new-look north vs south competition
Steve Tandy welcomes new Nations Championship
13:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleSteve Tandy has welcomed next year's bigger Test window with his Wales squad decimated for the showdown with South Africa.
Wales' final autumn fixture has been mired in controversy as it falls outside World Rugby's official Test window and head coach Tandy has been forced to name a weakened side minus 13 players to take on the world champions.
Bristol wing Louis Rees-Zammit, Gloucester scrum-half Tomos Williams and Saracens prop Rhys Carre are among the England and France-based players missing for Wales in Cardiff.
South Africa will also be missing key personnel on a weekend when club rugby returns in both northern and southern hemispheres.
It is a situation that will not be repeated in 2026 following the launch of the biennial Nations Championship and a four-Test window next November.
"I think it's easier," Tandy said of the new international calendar. "The boys that were playing last weekend want to go again, so I think that bit of cohesion is massive.
"It would be very helpful for club teams as well, but also for our boys because those that are not here are pretty gutted they're not undertaking South Africa.
"I know that's part of playing outside of Wales, so I think that'll be easier for everyone. It gives you clarity and certainty, which is much better."
Dewi Lake insists Wales are ready for Springboks challenge
13:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleSkipper Dewi Lake insists under-strength Wales are raring to go against South Africa in a fixture that has provoked widespread bemusement throughout Welsh rugby.
Wales are without their 13 England and France-based players at Principality Stadium because the game falls outside World Rugby's official Test window.
The Welsh Rugby Union has been heavily criticised for arranging a fixture viewed as a money-making exercise and one that could do significant damage to the morale of Steve Tandy's squad.
Wales showed green shoots in last weekend's 52-26 defeat to New Zealand, breaching the All Blacks defence four times and being in the contest until the last 20 minutes.
But that work is at serious risk of being ripped up against the world champions, with Tandy having had to select a weakened side drawn from the four Welsh regions.
"It's an opportunity to play for your country against the best team in the world," Ospreys hooker Lake said at the captain's run on Friday when it was suggested to him that this was a needless game.
"Look, a chance to come in the stadium and pull the jersey on. I'm never not going to be happy about that.
"I think everyone in the squad feels the same."
Why Wales vs South Africa is a foolish fixture that suits no-one
13:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleYes, one has to question the thinking of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) in arranging this out-of-window meeting with the world champions. The challenge today would be stiff enough were Steve Tandy able to select his full side.
Why Wales vs South Africa is a foolish fixture that suits no-one
Wales vs South Africa live
Friday 28 November 2025 13:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleFor the final time in 2025, there’s international rugby to bring you this afternoon as a weakened Wales and depleted Springboks meet in a fixture that would seem to suit few in Cardiff. The world champions are heavy favourites as they take on a home team without any of their England or France-based players - surely Steve Tandy’s side can’t spring a shock?
Kick off is at 3.10pm GMT.
