World champions South Africa made light work of a sorry Wales side in Cardiff on Saturday - Reuters/Andrew BoyersJames CorriganSat, November 29, 2025 at 6:13 PM UTC·33 min readb'
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Brutal, humiliating and totally unnecessary. This was Wales’s worst defeat at home in their history and the first time they have failed to score a single point in 33 years.
And although the Principality Stadium booed the referee on occasion and, very rightly Eben Etzebeth after his late red card for an act of mindless eye-gouging, the crowd should really have reserved their ire for the Welsh Rugby Union.
Eben Etzebeth gouges Alex Mann - TNT SportsThis was a nonsensical fixture and the 11-try mauling by the world champions was inevitable. Because the WRU agreed to stage this autumn Test outside World Rugby’s international window, head coach Steve Tandy was without 13 of their English- and French-based players.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo all that feelgood factor this young squad earned from their promising display against New Zealand the previous weekend was sacrificed on the altar of earning a few more quid. Shame on the WRU, regardless of whatever excuses they launch.
Granted, South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus also saw an exodus of his troops for the same reason. Yet while Wales in this guise hardly have the quality to field a competitive XV, the Springboks have so much depth Erasmus probably feels like donning sub-aqua equipment to delve through it.
The visitors never let up, went chasing records and bloodshed, and refusing even to countenance the notion of the Welsh scoring a consolation try at the end. By then, their try-count had gone into double figures and it can only be hoped that the suspension that Etzebeth must receive runs into multiple months too.
What was he thinking when he jammed his thumb into the eye of Alex Mann with three minutes remaining. South Africa are easily the best team in the world and are a joy to watch. But Etzebeth let his country and himself down very badly.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMatch details
Scoring sequence: 0-5 Steenekamp try (8), 0-7 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con (9), 0-12 Hooker try (13), 0-14 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con (14), 0-19 Wiese try (30), 0-21 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con, 0-26 Louw try (42), 0-28 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con (43), 0-33 Van Den Berg try (43), 0-35 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con (44), 0-40 Feinberg-Mngomezulu try (46), 0-42 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con (47), 0-47 Moody try (49), 0-49 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con (50), 0-54 Esterhuizen try (53), 0-59 Feinberg-Mngomezulu try (63), 0-61 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con (61), 0-66 Nortje try (68), 0-68 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con (69), 0-73 Eztebeth try (74).
Wales B Murray (B Thomas, 65); E Mee, J Roberts, J Hawkins, R Dyer; D Edwards (C Sheedy, 49), K Hardy (R Morgan-Williams, 49); G Thomas (D Southworth, 49), D Lake, K Assiratti (C Coleman, 46; Assiratti, 61), B Carter, R Davies (J Ratti, 60), T Plumtree, A Mann, A Wainwright (M Morse, 42-49).Replacement B Coghlan.Yellow cards Plumtree (42), Wainwright (53).
South Africa D Willemse; E Hooker, D de Allende, A Esterhuizen, C Moodie; S Feinberg-Mngomezulu, M van den Berg (C Reinach, 51); G Steenekamp (Z Porthen, 51), J Grobbelaar (B Mbonambi,51) , W Louw (A Ntlabakanye, 51), J Kleyn (K Smith 51), R Nortje, S Kolisi (M van Staden, 51), F Mostert (E Etzebeth, 51), J Wiese (B-J Dixon, 51).Red card Estebeth (78).
05:42pm
Thanks for joining us!
That brings our coverage of South Africa’s thumping win over Wales in Cardiff to an end, thank you for joining us.
05:39pm
‘We were overpowered’ - Lake reacts to defeat
Wales captain Dewi Lake speaking to S4C: “I believe our physically was okay but we were overpowered.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“We can’t ignore the score and the performance, there’s not much to say if I’m honest.
“When you play the best team in the world, you need to step up and we didn’t have any ball to play and that costs us.”
05:37pm
Wales nilled for first time in 58 years
Wales were last nilled in Cardiff in 1967, when they were beaten 3-0 by Ireland - a slightly tighter affair than what we saw today.
05:36pm
Kolisi says South Africa ‘went through’ what Wales are experiencing
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi speaking to S4C: “It was good, we’re proud of today and the whole tour.
“We’ve been build depth into the squad. There’s been disciplined, segmented and we take everything that’s infront of us.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“We respected Wales as much as we could, and we needed to go out and play our game.
“We love the Welsh boys, I love Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake. We need Wales and we went through what Wales went through before 2018.
“The fans need to continue to show up, and people asking why we’re playing today. And it’s simple, for experience.”
05:32pm
‘Everyone trusts each other’ - Esterhuizen on South Africa’s strength in depth
South Africa centre and player of the match Andre Esterhuizen told TNT Sports: “Very tough game to end the tour on, it’s been five long weeks. Very happy with this one and a clean sweep of this tour - we worked really hard for it and happy that we got the rewards at the end.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn what they learnt form this match, he said: “Whatever team is picked, every guy steps up, everyone knows their role, everything’s so cohesive, it doesn’t matter who plays, everyone trusts each other.”
On Wales he said: “When you come to Wales you can always expect a team that never gives up, it’s a very tough nation to play against, physically they’re always up for it, so we knew we had to dig deep.”
05:27pm
‘That was a tough game’ - Hardy
Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy speaking to S4C: “The boys are disappointed and we thought we started well, but ultimately the South Africans showed their class.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“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.”
05:25pm
Kolisi ‘proud of South Africa’s growth’
Speaking to TNT Sports, Siya Kolisi has said: “We’re very happy with what we’ve done, with the way we came together as a group. I’m proud of the growth of the team.”
We will bring you more from the South Africa captain and all the reaction from today’s game shortly.
05:21pm
Watch: Feinberg-Mngomezulu scores his second try
05:19pm
South Africa’s dominant autumn
1/11 - South Africa 61 Japan 7
8/11 - France 17 South Africa 32
15/11 - Italy 14 South Africa 32
22/11 - Ireland 13 South Africa 24
29/11 - Wales 0 South Africa 73
05:15pm
Record defeat for Wales
This was Wales’ record home loss, in terms of the most points conceded and the biggest margin of defeat.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt was the second-biggest defeat in their history, with a 96-13 defeat, also against South Africa, topping the list.
05:11pm
Full time: Wales 0 South Africa 73
The game boils over again almost immediately after it restarts as Wales are awarded the penalty. The hosts kick for touch down their right, deep in the South African 22, and will have a late chance to get on the board.
After Wales give one last push for the line, the ball is turned over and South Africa kick the ball into touch to bring this demolition to an end.
05:08pm
80 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 73
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That was disgusting from Eben Etzebeth. Deserving of a straight red and a long, long ban. South Africa are winning 73-0. What was he thinking?
05:08pm
Red card! Etzebeth dismissed for eye gouge
Wales 0 South Africa 73 With just a couple of minutes left on the clock, tempers really start to flare, with Etzebeth and Mann at the heart of a scuffle between the sides.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter the pair get a talking to by the referee, replays show that the South African gouged the eye of Mann with his thumb and there is going to be a TMO check.
After an unnecessary numbers of replays, the decision is permanent red card. Absolutely deserved, appalling behaviour.
Eben Etzebeth gouges the eye of Wales’ Alex Mann05:02pm
78 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 73
Wales have a chance to get on the board as the ball runs loose in the centre of the pitch and is nudged into the South Africa 22.
Mee does superbly to keep the ball in play, hooking it down the flank, beyond the try-line but he can’t quite reach it before it runs out of play.
05:01pm
TRY! Etzebeth crosses after turnover at Welsh scrum
Wales 0 South Africa 73 (Etzebeth) South Africa turn over possession at the scrum in front of the Welsh try-line and work it inside to Etzebeth, who drives powerfully over the line.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere is a TMO check for a potential tackle off the ball from Reinach as South Africa made the turnover but eventually, the decision is made that the try stands.
Mngomezulu drags his conversion wide, despite it being from a pretty favourable position.
04:55pm
73 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 68
Wales concede another penalty on the edge of their own 22 and South Africa kick for the corner, so will have the line-out six metres out down their right.
But as the Springboks maul for the line, Wales manage to force the infringement and will have a scrum just in front of their try-line.
04:53pm
TRY! Nortje bundles over for South Africa’s 10th try
Wales 0 South Africa 68 (Nortje) South Africa shift it out to the left flank following the scrum and Willemse crosses acrobatically in the corner but there was a forward pass in the move.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut they have the penalty after the scrum collapsed and opt to take it quickly before driving for the line. After a number of phases it’s eventually Nortje who bundles over for their 10th try of the day.
Mngomezulu’s makes the conversion and he has now scored 26 points so far today.
04:50pm
67 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 61
Sheedy goes for the cross-field kick once more, looking for Dyer on the left flank, but it has too much on it and dribbles into touch.
South Africa claim their own box-kick superbly after the line-out and are at the Welsh defence once more.
Wales rip it, but it was ripped forward by Morgan-Williams and South Africa will have the scrum on the edge of the Welsh 22.
04:46pm
TRY! Mngomezulu scores his second of the match
Wales 0 South Africa 61 (Mngomezulu) South Africa penetrate the Welsh 22 with ease once more following the line-out and face little resistance as they push towards the line.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe ball is worked outside to Mngomezulu and the fly-half has an unchallenged passage across the line. The fly-half then makes the routine conversion.
04:43pm
62 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 54
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The manner in which the South Africans celebrated that turnover penalty when Wales were looking like to score their first points... the visitors are looking for maximum damage
04:42pm
61 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 54
A knock-on from South Africa gives Wales a scrum on halfway but after a reset, the visitors win the foul as the scrum collapses.
04:40pm
60 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 54
Wales continue in their push for the line following the tap and go but Esterhuizen wins the penalty and the hosts have nothing to show for their efforts.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe referee confirms that Wainwright’s yellow will remain a yellow.
04:38pm
59 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 54
Murray latches onto a crossfield kick played out to the left and he and steps inside before winning the penalty at the breakdown on the edge of the South African 22.
The hosts kick for the corner and they will have the line-out five metres out, presenting their best chance all afternoon.
The number of phases reaches double figures but Wales have failed to make any real progress. Play is then brought back for an earlier offside by the visitors.
04:35pm
TRY! Esterhuizen scores South Africa’s eighth as Wainwright sees yellow
Wales 0 South Africa 54 (Esterhuizen) Hooker has space to break down South Africa’s right and he pops it inside as the visitors reach the 22. They earn the penalty but they won’t need it as they shift it out to the left and Esterhuizen crosses in the corner.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere is a TMO check over a possible high tackle earlier in the move, with Wainwright potentially being penalised, and the referee rules that his shoulder made contact with the head of an opposition player and he sees yellow. It has been sent to the bunker too.
It’s a more challenging conversion for Mngomezulu from out wide and he misses for the first time today, dragging it wide of the near post.
04:29pm
52 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 49
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The crowd were booing the referee after South Africa made it 49-0 - but they should be venting their disgust at the Welsh Rugby Union who arranged this stupid fixture.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter last week’s promising display against New Zealand, all that feelgood is being washed down the pan thanks to the WRU greed. Feel sorry for their inexperienced players out there.
04:28pm
51 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 49
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Rassie Erasmus has just brought on all eight replacements - at the same time!! That cannot have happened in Test match rugby before (if, indeed, it has happened in any rugby before). Talk about the ‘emptying the bench’
04:26pm
TRY! Moody finishes solo effort following interception as visitors run riot
Wales 0 South Africa 49 (Moody) The Principality finds its voice as Wales mount a rare attack but Moody intercepts a loose pass and kicks the ball into the Welsh half.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe wing chases his kick, wins the race and just nudges it over the line before gathering to cross for South Africa’s third try of the half.
There is a TMO check over the grounding and a potential knock-on at the start of the move but the try stands. It’s another easy conversion.
04:22pm
TRY! Mngomezulu catches Wales out with quickly-taken penalty
Wales 0 South Africa 42 (Mngomezulu) Wales concede their ninth penalty of the match at the scrum and South Africa kick for touch down their right flank, just short of the Welsh 22.
There is a knock-on by the visitors but play is brought back for an earlier penalty and Mngomezulu takes it quickly on the 22 before darting between the Welsh defence to cross under the posts.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt’s another straightforward conversion for the fly-half.
04:19pm
TRY! Louw continues dominance as Plumtree sees yellow
Wales 0 South Africa 35 (Louw) South Africa drive well from the line-out down their left and after a few phases are a metre short of the line. Eventually it’s Louw who gathers it at the breakdown and bundles over.
Plumtree sees yellow in the aftermath of the try for an offside. The conversion is there once more and the visitors’ lead grows further.
04:16pm
43 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 28
After Wales gather a South African box-kick, play is brought back for a penalty on halfway, with Hardy penalised for offside.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt’s a superb kick from the visitors that finds touch about five or ten metres from the line, down the left flank.
Before the line-out Wainwright makes way as he has some blood on his face, and Morse is on in his place.
04:13pm
41 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 28
We are back underway at Principality Stadium, with the visitors kicking things off, going from left to right in the second half.
Both sides are unchanged from the opening period.
04:11pm
Wales’ defensive frailties
Wales have now conceded 20 tries in their three-and-a-half fixtures so far this autumn.
04:05pm
Wales on course for record home defeat
Wales’s record losing margin at home is by 54 points, suffered in the 68–14 defeat against England in this year’s Six Nations.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith a 28-point deficit at the halfway mark of today’s contest against South Africa, they are on course to surpass that.
03:59pm
Half-time: Wales 0 South Africa 28
That try is the final action of a dominant and comfortable half for the world champions, who have a 28-0 advantage at the interval.
03:59pm
TRY! Van den Berg adds fourth on brink of half-time
Wales 0 South Africa 28 (Van den Berg) South Africa opt for the scrum, about 10 metres out, and will make one last push for a fourth try, with the clock deep into the red.
Esterhuizen collects the ball from the scrum and carries it powerfully to take his side just short of the line. The ball is popped back to Van den Berg and the scrum-half crosses under the posts.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMngomezulu keeps his perfect record from the tee and the visitors will have a 28-point lead at the break.
03:56pm
42 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 21
Edwards’ cross-field kick out to the right flank is a promising one but the ball bounces unfavourably for Mee and he can only nudge it into touch.
South Africa look to build from the line-out as the clock ticks into the red and a line-breaking run from Moody takes them deep into the Welsh half.
The Springboks earn the advantage as they go within a couple of metres of the line and play is soon brought back for the offside.
03:52pm
39 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 21
South Africa shift the ball out to the right as they edge closer and closer to the line before a darting run from Willemse takes them within five metres.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut Wales defend well and the South Africa full-back concedes the penalty after being tackled, under pressure from Roberts.
03:50pm
37 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 21
Mngomezulu goes for a deft grubber kick down South Africa’s left flank but the ball dribbles into touch before Moodie can catch up.
Wales’ clearance doesn’t go far following the line-out and the visitors will have a line-out of their own, just inside the Welsh 22.
03:49pm
36 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 21
Wales earn the scrum on halfway and are then awarded the free-kick as the scrum collapses.
The hosts kick for touch down their left but Edwards is penalised at the breakdown following an overthrow at the line-out and the chance is wasted.
03:47pm
34 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 21
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There was a sense that the Springboks were looking for a yellow card, as well as that try by electing to go for a scrum in front of the posts. It actually feels that Wales are doing well to ‘only’ be 21 points down at the halfway mark. But the red-shirts have not threatened at all.
03:46pm
TRY! Wiese scores South Africa’s third after powerful scrum
Wales 0 South Africa 21 (Wiese) South Africa drive powerfully at the scrum and as they cross the line, the ball dribbles out the left side and Wiese reaches out with his left arm to touch it down.
Mngomezulu makes it three from three with his conversions and the lead extends to 21.
03:42pm
30 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 14
Wales concede yet another penalty, this time for not moving away at the breakdown, and South Africa will have the attacking line-out down their left once more, about 10 metres out.
It doesn’t take long for the Springboks to go within a metre of the line but the final pass to Hooker on the right flank is forwards.
Play is brought back for an offside, though, and the visitors will have the scrum five metres out, beneath the posts.
03:39pm
28 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 14
South Africa kick for the corner and will have the line-out down their left, about 10 metres out. The visitors maul for the line but Wales get the decision at the breakdown! They will have the scrum just in front of their line.
Hardy’s clearance doesn’t go far but it’s spilt by Moodie and out for a Welsh line-out.
03:36pm
25 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 14
Mee spills the box-kick and South Africa will have the scrum, about 30 metres out from the Welsh try-line towards the left.
The visitors are forced into touch after shifting the ball out to the right but play is brought back for a penalty at the scrum.
03:33pm
22 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 14
Wales win the penalty at the breakdown and they find touch down their right, just inside South Africa’s half. Can they make something of this?
Edwards goes for the dink over the top but it’s swept up well by Willemse, who is then brought down by a high tackle from Murray and South Africa are awarded the penalty.
03:31pm
20 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 14
It’s a great take from Willemse following the Wales kick and he wins the penalty on his landing, allowing South Africa to find touch once again, this time down their right on halfway.
The Springboks move the ball really swiftly out to the left and they immediately break into the Welsh 22, but there is a knock-on and the chance goes begging.
03:29pm
17 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 14
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When a scrum is this powerful it is almost impossible to contain the opposition. The only answer for Wales is to avoid conceding the set piece. If they fail to do so then this could get very ugly. As bad as we feared.
03:28pm
TRY! Hooker shows great pace to double advantage
Wales 0 South Africa 14 (Hooker) Murray directs an excellently-shaped kick into the far left corner from deep and it looks like it will be a 50-22 for Wales but it bounces away at the last moment and dribbles over the try-line before going out of play.
So it will instead be a scrum for South Africa in a dangerous position. The ball is immediately shifted out to Hooker on the right flank and he shows great pace to burst down the line before stepping inside and crossing with ease.
Mngomezulu once again makes the conversion and it’s a healthy advantage already for the world champions.
03:23pm
11 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 7
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There is the South African gameplan, right there. Demolish the Welsh scrum, kick the resulting penalty to the corner and then remain patient until their power takes them over. The Welsh defence was in tatters by the end of that phase. Frightening.
03:22pm
TRY! Steenekamp gives South Africa early lead
Wales 0 South Africa 7 (Steenekamp) Wales have defended reasonably well in the opening minutes of this match but South Africa have the breakthrough.
Some sharp passing following the line-out allows Willemse to break into the Welsh 22 and South Africa are then able to get within five metres after a number of phases.
With the visitors under the posts, Steenekamp peels away from the ruck and drives powerfully over the line. Mngomezulu makes no mistake with a simple conversion.
03:19pm
8 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 0
Mee does superbly to tap the ball back to his team from the box-kick and they then get the decision at the breakdown so will have a scrum, inside South Africa’s half.
But the Springboks dominate and get the penalty. Their kick then finds touch inside the Welsh 22 down their left-hand side so it will be a line-out in a promising position for the visitors.
03:16pm
5 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 0
South Africa shift the ball swiftly out to the left flank to Moodie, who has some space to run into, but he then goes for the grubber kick and completely misses the ball.
So it will be a scrum for Wales in their own half and they do well to escape with a free-kick.
03:14pm
3 mins: Wales 0 South Africa 0
Willemse’s kick from halfway finds touch just outside the Welsh 22 and the hosts will have the line-out, under a bit of early pressure.
Moments later and van de Berg’s box-kick is claimed excellently by Hooker, but the visitors then go for the cross-field kick out to the left flank and it’s gathered superbly by Mee who kicks clear.
03:12pm
1 min: Wales 0 South Africa 0
We are underway at Principality Stadium, with Wales kicking things off in Cardiff after winning the toss, going from left to right in this opening period.
Luc Ramos of France is the man in the middle this afternoon.
03:06pm
Some empty seats
As expected there are a fair few empty seats inside Principality Stadium, given the timing of this fixture, outside the official Test window.
We are now five minutes away from kick-off, but first, it’s time for the national anthems of both sides.
03:04pm
Watch: Duncan Jones on facing South Africa
Wales’ interim scrum coach Duncan Jones has spoken about his experience working with the squad this autumn and preparing for South Africa.
03:02pm
Kick-off approaching
The players are in the tunnel now at Principality Stadium and we are less than 10 minutes away from kick-off in Cardiff.
02:58pm
‘We have to be smarter’ - Tandy on South Africa test
Looking ahead to this afternoon’s game against South Africa, Wales head coach Steve Tandy said: “They know exactly what that game is and they can adapt, but most of the time they don’t need to.
“There’s a pride in their identity of how to play and that fits their physical attributes as well. They’ve got the physicality and athleticism to back that game-plan up.”
Discussing his own side, he said: “We have to be smarter because we spent 10 minutes in the 22 defending last weekend.
“The bravery, toughness, quality and physicality they put in was outstanding, but we wanted to do that less because you can see what we can do when we’re at the other end of the field.”
Wales head coach Steve Tandy - PA/Nigel French02:54pm
Morgan out of Six Nations
The most damaging bit of news for Welsh rugby this week was the fact that Jac Morgan will miss the start of the 2026 Six Nations.
The captain dislocated his shoulder against Argentina earlier this month and has now undergone surgery.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said: “He’s had his operation, it’s all gone really well and he’s on the road to recovery. He’s in that race now to get back as soon as he can.
“It will be four to five months based on what we’ve heard, but obviously those things can change, we’re just working off that at the moment.”
02:50pm
‘We need a strong Welsh team’ - Erasmus on poor Wales form
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has said this week that rugby needs a strong Wales side amid a difficult period for the nation.
The Springboks arrive in Cardiff as world champions and the world’s top ranked side for the third successive year, while Wales have endured a turbulent few seasons, losing 20 of their last 22 Tests and slipping to 11th in the world.
“We need a strong Welsh team, they just have the tradition of loving to play the game,” said Erasmus.
“I don’t understand what is going on in the Welsh set-up, I do not understand the politics, what works and what doesn’t work.
“Whatever’s wrong off the field, you [Wales] have the guts, players and willpower. I know deep in the belly of the Welsh, there is fight and somewhere it’s going to come right.
“There’s something about the Welsh people. There’s not a lot of people here but if you go outside [in Wales], you see some things of South Africa.
“Not everybody is wealthy and living a fantastic life, but they grind things out.”
02:46pm
Damage-limitation for Wales
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Not sure I’ve ever seen the streets of Cardiff so lacking in atmosphere walking to an international at the Principality Stadium. It seemed that one in four of the shirts was blue as the Cardiff City faithful strolled in the other direction towards their home fixture against Mansfield.
It will be intriguing to see if the attendance here is 50,000. If it is not, who can blame the support for staying away? Wales are without 13 English- and French-based players and although the Springboks are also under strength because of this transparent money-earner being played outside of World Rugby’s international window, the world champions have astonishing strength in depth.
In contrast, Wales look threadbare. The bookies have them at 50-1, the biggest price they have ever been for a home match. For Steve Tandy’s men, this appears to be nothing more than a damage-limitation exercise.
02:43pm
Wales’ autumn so far
Wales were convincingly beaten 52-28 by Argentina in their opening game of the autumn series but snatched victory with their second Test as they claimed a 24-23 win over Japan with the last kick of the game.
In their most recent game, they were beaten 52-26 by New Zealand in Cardiff as Tom Rogers became the first Welshman to score a hat-trick against the All Blacks.
There were certainly positives to take away from last weekend’s match, but Steve Tandy will be concerned by the fact they have conceded 16 tries in their three fixtures so far.
02:39pm
Kolisi says fixture will ‘makes Wales better’
South Africa’s double World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi is among those to have defended the scheduling of today’s game.
“I know a lot of people in the Welsh public are saying ‘why are they playing this game against the Springboks?’,” said Kolisi.
“I don’t like it when people question this. Who are they [Wales] supposed to play to improve themselves?
“People look at this stuff so negatively. You only improve with playing against the top teams, that’s how you measure yourself.
“Rugby people know this is only going to make them [Wales] better, no matter what the result is for them or us.”
Siya Kolisi of South Africa - Getty Images/David Rogers02:35pm
WRU defend decision to schedule match outside Test window
Today’s match has received some criticism as it has been organised by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) outside World Rugby’s designated window for international matches - it is the only international game taking place this weekend.
But the WRU has continued to defend its decision to schedule a match with the world champions, highlighting the potential benefits both on and off the pitch.
“From a performance perspective, challenging yourself against the very best sides in the world game boosts player and team development,” a WRU statement said.
“From a business point of view the addition of a fourth international match in the series directly boosts resources available to invest directly back into rugby in Wales.”
02:31pm
Last autumn
Wales and South Africa also met last autumn, and it was the double world champions who cruised to victory, claiming a 45-10 win in Cardiff.
South Africa cruised to victory over Wales last November - Reuters/Peter Cziborra02:28pm
Erasmus ‘pleased with quality’ of team despite absentees
Discussing his team selection this week, South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus said: “We knew from the outset that we would lose players for this match due to their club commitments, and we are pleased with the quality of the team we’ve selected.
“We’ve been rotating our players throughout the year, and this group has been together for close to five weeks, so many of these combinations are fully settled.”
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus - Getty Images /Charles McQuillan02:23pm
Tandy wants ‘same effort and performance’ as New Zealand clash
After naming his team for this afternoon’s game, Wales head coach Steve Tandy said: “What we want to see from the boys is the same type of effort and performance as we did last weekend.
“I think we showed a lot of attacking intent, a lot of toughness in the way we went about lots of the defensive effort as well, to give the supporters something to shout about.”
Wales head coach Steve Tandy at Principality Stadium last weekend - Getty Images/David Rogers02:19pm
Those teams in full
Wales: Murray; Mee, Roberts, Hawkins, Dyer; Edwards, Hardy; G Thomas, D Lake (capt), Assiratti, Carter, R Davies, Plumtree, Mann, Wainwright.
Replacements: Coghlan, Southworth, Coleman, Ratti, Morse, Morgan-Williams, Sheedy, B Thomas.
South Africa: D Willemse; Hooker, De Allende, Esterhuizen, Moodie; Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Van der Berg; Steenekamp, Grobbelaar, Louw, Kleyn, Nortje, Kolisi (capt), Mostert, Wiese.
Replacements: Mbonambi, Porthen, Ntlabakanye, Etzebeth, Van Staden, Dixon, Smith, Reinach.
02:13pm
South Africa team news: Eight changes from Ireland win
South Africa also have a limited selection for today’s game, with some of their players returning to English, French and Japanese clubs, while head coach Rassie Erasmus has also released players back to South African sides for URC action.
The head coach makes eight changes to the team that beat Ireland, with captain Siya Kolisi, Ruan Nortje, Jasper Wiese, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian de Allende, Canan Moodie and Damian Willemse retained.
02:09pm
Wales team news: Tandy makes 12 changes
Steve Tandy has made 12 changes following the defeat against New Zealand, with Blair Murray, Dan Edwards and captain Dewi Lake the only players to remain in the starting XV.
Today’s game falls outside World Rugby’s official Test window, meaning the Wales head coach has only been able to select players from the four Welsh regions, with 13 members of his squad returning to their clubs in England and France.
02:04pm
Wales host South Africa in controversially-timed fixture
Good afternoon, and welcome to live coverage of the Quilter Nations Series as Wales welcome world champions South Africa to the Principality Stadium. With the fixture falling outside of World Rugby’s official Test window, both sides have a limited pool of players to choose from, but the Springboks are still heavy favourites with a vastly more experienced squad.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy has made 12 changes for Saturday’s fixture following the 52-26 defeat against New Zealand last weekend, with 13 of his players returning to their clubs in England and France. The hosts will be keen to take the positives from last weekend’s loss and finish their autumn with a spirited display, having previously suffered a heavy defeat against Argentina, while they only edged past Japan with the last kick of the contest.
Despite Wales facing a depleted South Africa side, given the timing of the fixture, the visitors are still expected to come out on top, with head coach Rassie Erasmus able to call on 899 caps in his matchday squad, while Wales have just 306. The Springboks will be looking to seal a perfect autumn campaign, having already registered wins over Japan, France, Italy, and, most recently, Ireland.
The Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) decision to schedule this match outside the designated window has been a controversial and much-criticised one, seemingly unpopular among both players and supporters. But the governing body has defended the move, claiming it will provide both on-the-field development and an extra boost of income.
South Africa’s double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi is among those to have defended the timing of the fixture. “I know a lot of people in the Welsh public are saying ‘why are they playing this game against the Springboks?’,” said Kolisi. “People look at this stuff so negatively. You only improve with playing against the top teams. Rugby people know this is only going to make them [Wales] better.”
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