World champions South Africa canter to seven-try victory in Cardiff as defeat sees Wales finish 2024 with no single Take a look at victory
Final Up to date: 23/11/24 7:53pm
South Africa signed off their Autumn Nations marketing campaign by including victory in Wales to their wins in Scotland and England
Wales slumped to a twelfth successive Take a look at match defeat and head coach Warren Gatland noticed the stress ramped up on him as world champions South Africa gained 45-12 on the Principality Stadium.
For the primary time since 1937, Wales went a complete calendar yr with out profitable a Take a look at, and lots of will really feel that Gatland’s job is now hanging by a thread.
South Africa weren’t at their finest, however the unhappy fact for Wales is that they didn’t should be.
The Springboks ran in seven tries – Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Elrigh Louw, Jordan Hendrikse and Gerhard Steenekamp touched down – whereas Hendrikse kicked 5 conversions.
Wales claimed comfort scores from wing Rio Dyer and flanker James Botham, with Ben Thomas including one conversion, however the recreation was performed contained in the opening quarter after South Africa posted three tries.
Wales – Tries: Dyer (41), Botham (80); Conversions: Thomas (80).
South Africa – Tries: Mostert (7), Etzebeth (9), Arendse (20), Louw (35), Fassi (54), Steenekamp (62), J Hendrike (76); Conversions: J Hendrikse (7, 21, 35, 63, 77).
Whether or not Gatland, who has now misplaced 18 of 24 Assessments since returning for a second stint as head coach, stays in cost for a frightening Six Nations opener towards France in Paris on January 31 should be a topic of big debate.
No matter occurs, although, Wales are on the lowest level of their 143-year worldwide rugby historical past, and there seems no respite any time quickly.
Wales confirmed two late adjustments, with wing Tom Rogers dominated out by a calf muscle harm and prop Gareth Thomas lacking out via sickness. Gloucester again Josh Hathaway changed Rogers, with Nicky Smith taking up from Thomas.
Franco Mostert scythed via the Wales defence for South Africa’s first rating
It took South Africa simply six minutes to open their account after a transfer cast by skipper Siya Kolisi’s robust run ended with Mostert sprinting over unopposed and Hendrikse changing.
Mostert’s second-row accomplice Etzebeth then rounded off nice work by Arendse and Wales have been already dealing with damage-limitation as fly-half Sam Costelow went off for a head harm evaluation.
Eben Etzebeth cantered over for South Africa’s second strive
Centre Ben Thomas moved to the quantity 10 function with Scarlets centre Eddie James happening however South Africa added a 3rd strive contained in the opening quarter after Arendse touched down huge out and Hendrikse transformed.
Costelow rejoined the motion and Wales managed to safe some scraps of possession earlier than Etzebeth went off injured 11 minutes earlier than half-time and was changed by RG Snyman.
Kurt-Lee Arendse sidestepped is manner over as South Africa moved right into a 19-0 lead inside 20 minutes
South Africa twice noticed gamers held up over the Wales line, then Kolisi had a strive disallowed following a knock-on in method play by scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse.
However the Springboks didn’t have lengthy to attend for strive quantity 4, with Wales unable to deal with their power-runners, and Louw crossed between the posts.
Jordan Hendrikse’s conversion made it 26-0, but Wales managed the ultimate scoring act of a hopelessly one-sided opening half when Dyer completed strongly on his first look of the autumn marketing campaign.
Wing Rio Dyer raced over within the nook as Wales bought on the board with the ultimate play of the primary half
It was his eighth worldwide strive, and a minimum of ensured Wales opened their account, albeit towards a Springboks facet that had hardly ever moved out of third gear.
Costelow didn’t reappear for the second interval – James got here again on – and there was additionally a Take a look at debut off the bench for Gloucester ahead Freddie Thomas, who changed Taine Plumtree and went into the back-row.
It took South Africa till 14 minutes into the second interval to extend their benefit, and it was Arendse’s jinking working that created house for Fassi, who crossed on the overlap.
Substitute prop Steenekamp claimed South Africa’s sixth strive, transformed by Jordan Hendrikse, and Wales nonetheless had 17 minutes left earlier than their distress can be over.
Jordan Hendrikse then added a last strive that he additionally transformed, and Wales might escape to the sanctuary of their altering room after Botham’s late effort.
What’s subsequent?
Wales journey to France for the opening recreation of the 2025 Six Nations on Friday, January 31 (kick-off 8.15pm).
