Despite a "poor" second half performance by the Springboks, they beat a gutsy Wales 45-12, scoring seven tries to the two of Wales.
The Springboks made a great start when Franco Mostert ran a brilliant line to score the Springboks' first try, which started sixty meters back in their own half. Jordan Hendrikse converted.
Three minutes later the Springboks attacked from a turnover ball. The ball moved through the hands of Eben Etzebeth, Damian de Allende and Kurt Lee Arendse and back to Eben Etzebeth who cruised over for the Springboks' second try to extend the Springboks' lead to 12-00.
Wales stopped a lineout-maul in their red zone, but the Springboks spread the ball wide with Aphelele Fassi who passed to Kurt Lee Arendse who easily beat the Welsh defenders with a step back inside to score the Springboks' third try. Jordan Hendrikse added the extra two.
Following a try disallowed the Springboks bulldozed a scrum to win a penalty, whereafter, Jasper Wiese took a quick tap and Elrigh Louw picks and goes to score. Jordan Hendrikse extended the Springboks' lead to 26-00.
With time up on the clock, Rio Dyer scored in the corning to reduce the Springboks' lead to 26-05 going into the second half.
The Springboks scored some lovely tries but it has taken guts for the hosts to have the last say. A gutsy defensive effort from Wales in the first half. Jac Morgan completed 16 tackles, Dewi Lake 12 and Christ Tshiunza registered 12 and three more players are in double figures after forty minutes of play, however, it could become a long second half for their hosts as the Springboks replacements loom.
The Springboks' start to the second half was spoilt by a number of unforced errors, which allowed Wales to claw their way back into the match.
The Springboks set up camp in Wales' red zone and despite missing out on try-scoring opportunities, South Africa hit the short side, with Jaden Hendrikse finding Kurt Lee Arendse sold a wicked dummy and a break before he released Aphelele Fassi to score the Springboks fifth try to extend their lead to 31-05.
Fifteen minutes later and with five minutes to play Jordan Hendrikse scored the Springboks' seventh try to extend their lead to 45-05.
With time up on the clock Wales scored a consolation try when flanker James Botham forced his way over the Springboks' tryline to cut the Springboks' lead to 45-12, which was the final score.
Scorers:
Wales: Tries: Rio Dyer, James Botham. Conversion: Ben Thomas.
Springboks: Tries: Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Kurt Lee Arendse, Elrigh Louw, Aphelele Fassi, Jordan Hendrikse. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (4).
Teams
Wales: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Josh Hathaway, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 James Botham, 5 Christ Tshiunza, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Nicky Smith. 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.
Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Thomas du Toit. 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.
Recent Posts
- United Rugby Championship Local Franchises Team Of The Week
- Only Three Unbeaten Teams Left In 2025/26 United Rugby Championship
- Hollywoodbets Sharks Not Ready To Throw In The Towel
- Three Try Blitzkrieg Enough To Secure Win For Ulster Against Vodacom Bulls
- Leinster Cruised Past Hollywoodbets Sharks At Aviva In Dublin
- Benetton Cruise Past Fumbling Lions In Treviso
- Hoërskool Nelspruit Appoints Airlink Pumas Assistant Coach As Head Of Rugby
- Both Vodacom Bulls And Ulster Will Be Fighting To Remain Unbeaten
- “Stormers Family, I Salute You” – Manie Libbok
- DHL Western Province Claim SA Rugby U20 Women’s Week Crown In Dominant Display
- Hollywoodbets Sharks And Leinster Rugby Still Looking For A First Win In 2025/26 United Rugby Championship Season
- Lions Banking On Morne van den Berg’s Leadership Qualities Against Benetton
- DHL Stormers Pay Heavy Price For Win Over Scarlets
- Can The Lions Bounce Back From Two Close Losses Against Benetton?
- DHL Stormers Cruise To Third Win In A Row Against The Scarlets