Wales vs South Africa – The Springboks concluded their 2024 rugby season on a high, dismantling an inexperienced Wales team 45-12 at the Principality Stadium. In a one-sided affair that highlighted the vast gulf between the two sides, the Springboks secured a comprehensive victory with seven tries, leaving Wales winless for the calendar year — a first since 1937.
Wales vs South Africa Key Highlights
- Blistering Start: Early tries by Franco Mostert and Eben Etzebeth set the tone within the first eight minutes.
- Kurt-Lee Arendse Shines: A dazzling sidestep by Arendse resulted in one of the game’s most exciting tries.
- Scrum Power: Elrigh Louw scored from a dominant scrum, showcasing the Springboks’ physicality.
- Welsh Glimmer of Hope: Rio Dyer scored a first-half try with a solo effort reminiscent of Shane Williams.
- Second-Half Surge: Aphelele Fassi, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Jordan Hendrikse added tries to seal the win.
- Impressive Hendrikse: Jordan Hendrikse scored a try and converted five of seven, earning Player of the Match honors.
- Dominant Stats: South Africa’s defense and physicality overwhelmed Wales, who missed 46 tackles.
- Historic Year: South Africa completed their first clean sweep of a European autumn tour since 2013.
Springboks Off to a Blistering Start
The world champions wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Franco Mostert and Eben Etzebeth crossing the try line within the first eight minutes. Both tries showcased the power and precision of the Springbok pack, with Mostert scoring off a perfectly timed pass from flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse and Etzebeth capitalizing on a turnover near the Welsh 22.
Kurt-Lee Arendse added a third with a dazzling sidestep, leaving the Welsh defense scrambling, and Elrigh Louw powered over after another dominant scrum to give the visitors a commanding 26-5 halftime lead. The Boks’ superior strength and tactical awareness ensured they were in control from the outset.
Welsh Resilience Amid Springbok Onslaught
Wales, battling with a lineup featuring only 214 combined caps compared to South Africa’s seasoned squad, struggled to contain the Springboks. The absence of key players like Gareth Thomas and Tom Rogers further weakened their chances. Despite their defensive frailties, they showed moments of promise, particularly through flanker James Botham and winger Rio Dyer.
Dyer provided a glimmer of hope for the home fans when he sprinted over for a try just before halftime, evoking memories of Welsh great Shane Williams. However, such moments were few and far between as the Springboks continued to impose their dominance.
Springboks Finish Strong
The second half saw South Africa maintain their relentless pressure. Aphelele Fassi, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Jordan Hendrikse all crossed the whitewash to round off a comprehensive performance. Hendrikse, named Player of the Match for his all-round display, also converted five of the seven tries, demonstrating his growing stature in the Springbok setup.
The Boks could have extended their margin further, with Siya Kolisi and Fassi both being held up over the line. Nonetheless, their dominance in the scrum and relentless physicality left little doubt about the outcome.
Wales’ Struggles Continue
For Wales, this loss marked their 12th consecutive defeat, concluding a winless 2024. Head coach Warren Gatland’s future hangs in the balance, with the Welsh Rugby Union set to conduct a post-autumn review. While there were positives in the performance of flankers Jac Morgan and James Botham, the team’s 46 missed tackles and inability to withstand South Africa’s power painted a grim picture.
Springboks Reflect on a Successful Year
With the victory, South Africa completed their first clean sweep of a European autumn tour since 2013 and ended the year with an impressive 10 wins from 12 matches. They reaffirmed their status as the best team in world rugby, following their triumph in the Rugby Championship and a historic World Cup victory earlier in the year.
Speaking after the match, Franco Mostert, the Player of the Match, praised the team’s effort: “We’ve grown stronger with every game this year, and it’s great to finish 2024 on such a high note.”
Looking Ahead
As the Springboks celebrate a stellar season, attention will now turn to 2025, where they’ll aim to defend their Rugby Championship title and maintain their dominance on the world stage. For Wales, however, the focus will be on rebuilding and finding solutions to their ongoing struggles ahead of the Six Nations.
This clash between the two sides underscored their contrasting fortunes, with the Springboks emerging as an unstoppable force and Wales left to ponder how to climb back into contention in the competitive world of international rugby.
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