South Africa unleashed a storming performance in Durban, annihilating Wales 43-0 in the Nations Championship, leaving the Welsh team reeling in their wake. It was a drubbing of monumental proportions as the Springboks crossed the try line SEVEN TIMES, with no answer from the hapless Welsh, who were shut out for the second consecutive match against South Africa.
The double world champions' star-studded lineup delivered an onslaught of tries courtesy of Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Jessie Kriel, Jaco Williams, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Herschel Jantjies, and Paul de Villiers. It was a masterclass in efficiency, as the Springboks further cemented their position at the top of the world rankings and northern hemisphere table with this comprehensive win – having already dispatched England and Scotland earlier in the competition. And what's even more impressive is that they achieved this triumph while resting several star players, including skipper Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, and Eben Etzebeth.
For Wales, this latest defeat is a sobering reminder of their ongoing struggles under head coach Steve Tandy, who has now overseen nine losses in his 12 international matches at the helm. The team's inability to score points is a persistent concern that has seen them concede an aggregate score of 116-0 from their last two encounters against South Africa – with a particular low point being the record 73-0 home loss to the Springboks last November.
Wales' campaign in the Nations Championship has been marked by inconsistency, with an opening 39-21 win against Fiji followed by successive defeats, including a 35-21 loss to Argentina in San Juan before this latest rout. And to make matters worse for Wales, injuries have plagued their camp, with wing Josh Adams being forced out of action due to a calf problem at the eleventh hour, although skipper Dewi Lake was given the all-clear after an earlier scare. In contrast, South Africa continued to experiment with their squad, handing 20-year-old Sharks fly-half Vusi Moyo his debut – who became the youngest Springbok number 10 in the process.
The match saw South Africa start at breakneck speed, with number eight Jasper Wiese scoring the opening try after a thunderous break. Despite a brief lull in scoring where Wales showed some resilience, the Springboks maintained their pressure, with Jessie Kriel adding another try before half-time. The second half brought more changes for both sides, but the pattern of South African dominance remained unbroken as they expertly converted opportunities into points and kept Wales firmly shut out.