Springboks arrive for Autumn Nations Series against Scotland, England and Wales
Wales will look to avoid the ignominy of a winless 2024 as they face reigning double world champions South Africa in Cardiff as huge underdogs this afternoon.
Warren Gatland’s side look completely bereft of confidence and belief as their losing streak has reached a record-breaking 11 games and they are massive outsiders at 20-1 with bookmakers, despite being on home soil, to stun a fearsome Springboks side at the Principality Stadium.
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.
A young, inexperienced Welsh team will hope to give a good account of themselves in their Autumn Nations Series finale but even a Springboks side that Rassie Erasmus has made a handful of changes to should have far too much for their hosts after already beating England and Scotland this autumn to follow up their summer Rugby Championship success.
Follow all the action from Cardiff in our live blog below:
Wales v South Africa – live updates from Cardiff
Wales 0-12 South Africa, 14 minutes
Welsh hands disrupt the lineout well, though a knock on in the air will bring about the game’s first scrum. It was perhaps the only area where Wales went well against the Wallabies – though this is a significantly tougher challenge, one would suggest.
Harry Latham-Coyle23 November 2024 17:57
Wales 0-12 South Africa, 13 minutes
Two penalties against the hosts allow the Springboks to march deep into Welsh territory. And there’s another advantage coming…
South Africa will take it gladly. Jordan Hendrikse prods his forwards into the corner once more.
Harry Latham-Coyle23 November 2024 17:54
Wales 0-12 South Africa, 11 minutes
A worrying period for Wales now. Eddie James is on early, with Sam Costelow off for an HIA – Ben Thomas will presumably slide across to fly half, where he was stationed on the tour of Austraalia in the summer.
Harry Latham-Coyle23 November 2024 17:53
TRY! Wales 0-12 SOUTH AFRICA (Eben Etzebeth, 9 minutes)
Anything Mostert can do, his lock partner can do better!
Two tries in a matter of moments! Wales are dispossed on their own ten-metre line by a vicious Springboks counter-ruck and trouble is brewing as soon as prop Thomas du Toit plucks the ball. Eben Etzebeth first frees Kurt-Lee Arendse before showing off seriously impressive speed to stay with the wing, taking his inside pass to stride in.
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle23 November 2024 17:50
TRY! Wales 0-7 SOUTH AFRICA (Franco Mostert, 6 minutes)
Scintillating from the Springboks!
What rugby! It starts with Kurt-Lee Arendse’s work in the air, the dimunitive wing getting up to claim superbly and then bumping off a tackler. He is felled but Wales are short of number as South Africa use the width on the right, Damian de Allende, Siya Kolisi and co. thundering on. Cheslin Kolbe cuts inward at the right time to keep the ball in play and readily available, and lumbering lock Franco Mostert then hits a dreamy line back against the grain to finish it off. Over goes the conversion.
Harry Latham-Coyle23 November 2024 17:47
Wales 0-0 South Africa, 5 minutes
An excellent kick from Jordan Hendrikse takes the Springboks down into the 22. Johan Grobbelaar hits his jumper at the tail, and off the Boks go, fly ghalf Hendrikse jinking dangerously.
But that’s fine work from Wales in the shadow of their own posts, getting after breakdown ball and drawing a penalty. A chance goes begging for the visitors – though they may wonder if Nicky Smith was on his feet…
Harry Latham-Coyle23 November 2024 17:46
Wales 0-0 South Africa, 3 minutes
A first sign of what the world champions can do, Aphelele Fassi cleverly spotting space on the counter-attack and deftly dinking into the hands of an onrushing Jesse Kriel. Kriel’s attempt to toe ahead is diverted into touch by Welsh legs.
Back, though, for a South Africa penalty – a tackle in the air after Costelow’s second high hoist.
Harry Latham-Coyle23 November 2024 17:44
Wales 0-0 South Africa, 1 minute
Jordan Hendrikse takes the pass of his brother Jaden, the fly half booting long as South Africa clear their lines quickly. Wales go to the air early in their first possession, Sam Costelow sending one skywards for Rio Dyer to chase. The Springboks are equal to it.
Harry Latham-Coyle23 November 2024 17:43
KICK OFF!
Ben Thomas puts boot to ball and we are underway in Cardiff!
Harry Latham-Coyle23 November 2024 17:41
Wales vs South Africa
Plenty of South Africans in, judging by the green and gold streaks in the stands and a full-throated singing of their anthem. It’s soon drowned out by a mighty version of “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” – the Welsh side may be down on their luck but there is never any shortage of feeling from the fans.
Harry Latham-Coyle23 November 2024 17:40
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