Wales v South Africa LIVE: Rugby result and reaction from World Cup warm-up in Cardiff

Wales 16-52 South Africa: Wales thrashed in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up by the Springboks as Siya Kolisi returns from long-term injury

(Action Images via Reuters)

Winger Canan Moodie and centre Jesse Kriel ran in a brace of tries each as South Africa flexed their considerable muscle with a thumping 52-16 victory over Wales in their Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture in Cardiff.

Wales coach Warren Gatland names his 33-player squad for the World Cup on Monday and will have learnt much about his team from this home humiliation, in which they were out-muscled up front and out-thought with ball in hand.

The Springboks scored eight tries in all as hooker Malcolm Marx, flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and replacement back Damien Willemse also crossed to go with a penalty try, though they will be concerned over a high error count and some poor kicking.

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi made a successful return from long-term injury with a superb 40 minutes in his first international appearance in 2023 and will hope to add to that when the Boks play old foes New Zealand in a final warm-up fixture in London on Friday.

Relive the action from Cardiff with our blog below and you can find the latest rugby tips and betting offers here

Wales vs South Africa - Rugby World Cup warm-up updates

• Wales thrashed South Africa in final World Cup warm-up in Cardiff
• Springboks run in eight tries and captain Siya Kolisi successfully returns from long-term ACL injury
• FULL-TIME! Wales 16-52 South Africa
• 72’ - TRY! Parry burrows over the line for a consolation try (WAL 16-52 RSA)
• 69’ - TRY! Willemse runs in an eighth try from Libbok’s flat pass (WAL 9-52 RSA)
• 61’ - TRY! Moodie intercepts a Williams pass for a simple run-in (WAL 9-45 RSA)
• 59’ - TRY! Du Toit powers over from a five-metre lineout (WAL 9-38 RSA)
• 52’ - TRY! Springboks go coast to coast as Du Toit intercepts and passes to Kriel for interception try (WAL 9-31 RSA)
• 35’ - TRY! Grady’s ludicrous offload in his own in-goal area touched down by Kriel (WAL 9-24 RSA)
• 34’ - TRY! Penalty try as Dyer deliberately knocks the ball into touch (WAL 9-19 RSA)
• 23’ - TRY! Moodie finishes off superb team move (WAL 6-12 RSA)
• 5’ - TRY! Marx over in the corner after brilliant Kolisi offload (WAL 0-5 RSA)

[19 August 2023 15:45 · Luke Baker]

PENALTY! Wales 9-12 South Africa (Sam Costelow, 25 mins)

Once again, Wales hit straight back. Sam Costelow does the business from the kicking tee to narrow the deficit after the Springboks are pinged almost straight from kick-off.

Costelow’s kicking is keeping Wales in touch at the moment.

[19 August 2023 15:41 · Luke Baker]

TRY! Wales 6-12 South Africa (Canan Moodie, 23 mins)

Gorgeous rugby by South Africa! Finished off by Canan Moodie.

It all starts with RG Snyman spotting a gap from a breakdown on halfway, picking up and sniping through the middle. Lovely offload to Jaden Hendrikse, who then does likewise to Marx.

The Welsh defence are scrambling to get back and Libbok shows his class with a stunning miss pass out wide to Moodie who steps inside and goes over. Superb!

Libbok then nails the conversion for good measure.

[19 August 2023 15:39 · Luke Baker]

PENALTY! Wales 6-5 South Africa (Sam Costelow, 20 mins)

This is more like it from Wales - they win a couple of penalties, the second of which when Jesse Kriel gets caught on the wrong side at the breakdown, obstructing Jac Morgan’s cleanout.

It’s another kicking chance and Sam Costelow makes no mistake from the tee! Good kick from the young 10 and the hosts edge ahead

[19 August 2023 15:37 · Luke Baker]

MISSED PENALTY! Wales 3-5 South Africa (Manie Libbok, 18 mins)

The Boks opt to go for the posts from that penalty. A few metres inside the Welsh half, fairly central. But Manie Libbok misses wide to the right. He’s 0-2 from kicks now.

He struggled against Argentina from the tee a couple of weeks ago as well. It’s a definite weakness in his game, given how good he is in open play.

[19 August 2023 15:36 · Luke Baker]

Wales 3-5 South Africa, 17 mins

Have just seen a replay of that Kolbe run. Beating players in a phone box - his footwork is out of this world. The game is in Cardiff but the atmosphere in the stadium was palpably charged when he got the ball. He’s box-office! Most exciting player to watch in world rugby?

A scrum penalty won by the Springboks against the head. Their front row splinters the inexperienced Welsh trio once again, forcing them up early.

[19 August 2023 15:32 · Luke Baker]

Wales 3-5 South Africa, 15 mins

Ah, we won’t have to wait long for another look at the scrum. Johnny Williams knocks on in contact as Libbok charged up in defence.

Solid by South Africa, they win the ball and Cheslin Kolbe goes on a classic Kolbe jinking run, slipping through tackles and putting South Africa on the front foot. A cross-field kick safely dealt with by Rio Dyer though.

[19 August 2023 15:30 · Luke Baker]

Wales 3-5 South Africa, 13 mins

First scrum of the day. Wales props Corey Domachowski and Keiron Assiratti looked good against England last week but the Springboks front row is a different level... It’ll be a great learning curve.

Early shove from Wales, so a free-kick to the Boks. We’ll have to wait for a proper head to head it seems.

[19 August 2023 15:29 · Luke Baker]

Wales 3-5 South Africa, 12 mins

Wales have a lineout on the South African 22. Their lineout was quite frankly diabolical against England last week but this is better. Safely claimed and the maul is on.

Brilliant maul defence by the Boks though. They smother the ball, Jean Kleyn right in the mix, and force the turnover. Superb work by the lock

[19 August 2023 15:28 · Luke Baker]

Wales 3-5 South Africa, 10 mins

Wales really impressing under the high ball so far. Snyman forces a Kieran Haryd box-kick high rather than long but Rio Dyer claims it in the air. Great jump.

Wales can relieve pressure and move upfield with a penalty.

[19 August 2023 15:26 · Luke Baker]

PENALTY! Wales 3-5 South Africa (Sam Costelow, 7 mins)

Good response by Wales after conceding that try. Straight back on the horse and Johnny Williams - who needs a big game to make the World Cup squad - makes a powerful carry and survives a couple of big hits.

Penalty awarded as the Springboks stray offside, Wales go for the posts and Sam Costelow, from right in front, albeit from long range nails the kick. Costelow only playing after Dan Biggar picked up a knock but a good start