The Springboks capped off one of their best seasons in recent memory with an emphatic 45-12 victory over a brave but outclassed Wales side at the Principality S
It brings to an end a highly successful 12 months for the Rassie Erasmus’ men following their World Cup win in France a little over a year ago, with the victory in Wales their 11th out of 13 matches played in 2024, a run that included a first full Rugby Championship title since 2009 and a perfect 100% record on their end-of-year tour for the first time since 2013.
Wales defended manfully and gave it their all, putting in tackle after tackle, but they had little answer for the Springboks’ power up front or their pace and precision at the back, and in some ways the hosts were lucky not to suffer an even bigger defeat – a 12th straight for the proud but beleaguered rugby nation.
Match Report
It didn’t take the Boks long to open their account as some beautiful hands from the backline sent the ball out wide to Cheslin Kolbe, before a quick recycle and a pass back inside found Franco Mostert, who ran through a big gap in the defence for the opening try.
And there were ominous signs moments later as the Boks picked up their second five-pointer in quick succession, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Eben Etzebeth combining down the left flank following a great turnover at the ruck as South Africa’s Test cap record holder joined his lock partner Mostert on the scoresheet with an emphatic finish.
The Boks continued to dominate both territory and possession, and despite some valiant defence from the home side, the third try eventually arrived under some relentless pressure, a long pass out wide from Siya Kolisi to Arendse allowing the speedster to step inside and score.
After 25 minutes under the gun, Wales finally won a bit of possession, but it only lasted as long as their first scrum, which ended with the Bok pack driving the hosts back and winning the penalty, and only a superb tackle to hold up Aphelele Fassi over the line prevented the Boks’ fourth try moments later.
That try did eventually arrive five minutes before half-time after another Welsh scrum was driven back on their own five-metre line and a quick tap from the Boks allowed Elrigh Louw to crash over.
As the first half wound down, Wales finally won a couple of penalties that allowed them to apply some pressure in the Boks’ 22, and with their fans finally finding their voice and willing them on, it was a long pass out wide that allowed Rio Dyer to scythe his way through the Bok defence and score a great try as it finished 26-5 to the Boks at half-time.
The Springboks spurned a few try-scoring opportunities to start the second half as their intensity appeared to drop a little bit, but when Wales had a chance to seize the initiative with a five-metre line-out, an overthrow let the Boks off the hook. Instead, it was the South Africans who broke the deadlock after a sniping run from Arendse created the space on the outside for Fassi to crash over.
The Boks’ sixth try arrived after another period of relentless pressure in the Welsh red zone, with Gerhard Steenekamp picked up his first five-pointer in the green and gold.
And with five minutes to go, there was another debut try for flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse in only his second test match as the Boks’ breached a tired Welsh defence – though the home side were able to respond with a closing try for James Botham to give their long-suffering fans something to smile about.
🏆💚💛#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #WALvRSA pic.twitter.com/2z1aukuszq
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 23, 2024
