Wales v South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and reaction after Springboks condemn hosts to winless year
Wales 12-45 South Africa: The hosts were comfortably beaten to prompt renewed questions over Warren Gatland’s future
Wales were condemned to the ignominy of a winless 2024 as world champions South Africa proved much too good for Warren Gatland’s embattled side.
The hosts have looked completely bereft of confidence and belief as their losing streak has reached a record-breaking 11 games and they never felt likely to challenge a Springboks side who concluded an unbeaten Autumn Nations Series. There were signs of fight in the Welsh ranks, with Jac Morgan and others standing up impressively to the visitors’ physicality, but the final scoreline was predictably one-sided as South Africa ran in seven tries.
Gatland has looked like something of a broken man at points over the last year and questions about his job security have hugely increased following the historically bad past 12 months, with a real chance that he may leave before the Six Nations begins in February.
Re-live all the action from Cardiff in our live blog below:
Wales 5-31 South Africa, 57 minutes
Three changes for Wales. Tommy Reffell is on for Will Rowlands, sparking a bit of a back five shuffle with Christ Tshiunza back into the second row. Max Llewellyn steps out as Owen Watkin takes his place, while Rhodri Williams replaces Ellis Bevan, who has gone pretty well at the base against a side so adept at hustling scrum halves.
TRY! Wales 5-31 SOUTH AFRICA (Aphelele Fassi, 55 minutes)
But the Springboks strike in the broken field!
They really are a team for all seasons. Wales never quite set themselves defensively having traipsed up after Murray’s clearing kick, and Kurt-Lee Arendse has the sharpness of hands, feet and thought to capitalise. A delicate dummy is nonetheless deceptive enough to fool two defenders and send the wing scuttling through a gap, with a well-timed pass putting Aphelele Fassi in at a canter.
Wales 5-26 South Africa, 54 minutes
A rare error in contact from Jasper Wiese, fumbling forward and thumping the floor after he knocks on. Blair Murray boots upfield.
Wales 5-26 South Africa, 53 minutes
And that proves even more costly as the Springboks flip the field. Jesse Kriel’s massive tackle jars the ball free in midfield before Dewi Lake tries a rather optimistic chip and chase, the hooker well beaten in the speed stakes. South Africa’s kick is rather better and Josh Hathaway slices out on the full under pressure.
Wales 5-26 South Africa, 52 minutes
Argh! Frustration for the home fans as Dewi Lake’s fizzed throw to the tail sails over the head of his catchers with Wales unable to execute their lift. South Africa clear their lines.
Wales 5-26 South Africa, 51 minutes
An offside penalty will allow further advancement - Ben Thomas pokes out of play five metres from the Spriungboks line.
South Africa will make a change before the lineout is thrown. Handre Pollard replaces Damian de Allende and will step in at inside centre.
Wales 5-26 South Africa, 49 minutes
South Africa are just playing a little loosely here. A sliced Aphelele Fassi kick is reclaimed but Siya Kolisi’s offload is to no-onbe in particular, and a barging ‘Bok is rightly penalised as a scramble for the bouncing ball ensues. Wales enter enemy territory.
Wales 5-26 South Africa, 47 minutes
Time for a Welsh debutant - Freddie Thomas has been one of a number of Welshmen go well at Gloucester this season and earns his first cap in the second row.
Wales 5-26 South Africa, 45 minutes
How has Kurt-Lee Arendse escaped from there? The wing looks to be in the grips of Taine Plumtree but teleports out of contact and has suddenly broken the line. He foolishly ignores support runners, though, with a try-scoring pass surely on offer, and South Africa are eventually turned over.
Wales 5-26 South Africa, 45 minutes
The Springboks’ bomb squad are beginning to get ready but the starting front row will have one more scrum first - and they do their job, winning a penalty that Dewi Lake isn’t at all happy about. The hooker is seemingly even more confused after Karl Dickson explains his decision.
Here come those changes: off go Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaaar and Wilco Louw; welcome Gerhard Steenekamp, Malcolm Marx and Vincent Koch. Gulp.
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