Match Report – Wales 12 – 45 South Africa

World champions South Africa canter to seven-try victory in Cardiff as defeat sees Wales finish 2024 and not using a single Check victory; Warren Gatland refuses to be drawn on future as strain mounts on his place as Wales head coach within the face of unprecedented hunch

Wales slumped to a twelfth successive Check match defeat and head coach Warren Gatland noticed the strain ramped up on him as world champions South Africa received 45-12 on the Principality Stadium.

For the primary time since 1937, Wales went a complete calendar 12 months with out successful a Check, and lots of will really feel that Gatland’s job is now hanging by a thread.

South Africa weren’t at their finest, however the unhappy reality for Wales is that they didn’t need to be.

The Springboks ran in seven tries – Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Elrigh Louw, Jordan Hendrikse and Gerhard Steenekamp touched down – whereas Hendrikse kicked 5 conversions.

Wales claimed comfort scores from wing Rio Dyer and flanker James Botham, with Ben Thomas including one conversion, however the sport was accomplished contained in the opening quarter after South Africa posted three tries.

Whether or not Gatland, who has now misplaced 18 of 24 Exams since returning for a second stint as head coach, stays in cost for a frightening Six Nations opener towards France in Paris on January 31 have to be a topic of giant debate.

No matter occurs, although, Wales are on the lowest level of their 143-year worldwide rugby historical past, and there seems no respite any time quickly.

Stress mounts on Gatland as Wales finish 2024 winless

Wales confirmed two late modifications, with wing Tom Rogers dominated out by a calf muscle harm and prop Gareth Thomas lacking out via sickness. Gloucester again Josh Hathaway changed Rogers, with Nicky Smith taking on from Thomas.

Franco Mostert scythed via the Wales defence for South Africa’s first rating

It took South Africa simply six minutes to open their account after a transfer cast by skipper Siya Kolisi’s robust run ended with Mostert sprinting over unopposed and Hendrikse changing.

Mostert’s second-row companion Etzebeth then rounded off positive work by Arendse and Wales had been already dealing with damage-limitation as fly-half Sam Costelow went off for a head harm evaluation.

Centre Ben Thomas moved to the quantity 10 position with Scarlets centre Eddie James occurring however South Africa added a 3rd strive contained in the opening quarter after Arendse touched down large out and Hendrikse transformed.

Eben Etzebeth cantered over for South Africa’s second strive

Costelow rejoined the motion and Wales managed to safe some scraps of possession earlier than Etzebeth went off injured 11 minutes earlier than half-time and was changed by RG Snyman.

South Africa twice noticed gamers held up over the Wales line, then Kolisi had a strive disallowed following a knock-on in method play by scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse.

Kurt-Lee Arendse sidestepped is manner over as South Africa moved right into a 19-0 lead inside 20 minutes

However the Springboks didn’t have lengthy to attend for strive quantity 4, with Wales unable to deal with their power-runners, and Louw crossed between the posts.

Jordan Hendrikse’s conversion made it 26-0, but Wales managed the ultimate scoring act of a hopelessly one-sided opening half when Dyer completed strongly on his first look of the autumn marketing campaign.

It was his eighth worldwide strive, and at the very least ensured Wales opened their account, albeit towards a Springboks facet that had hardly ever moved out of third gear.

Wing Rio Dyer raced over within the nook as Wales obtained on the board with the ultimate play of the primary half

Costelow didn’t reappear for the second interval – James got here again on – and there was additionally a Check debut off the bench for Gloucester ahead Freddie Thomas, who changed Taine Plumtree and went into the back-row.

It took South Africa till 14 minutes into the second interval to extend their benefit, and it was Arendse’s jinking working that created area for Fassi, who crossed on the overlap.

Substitute prop Steenekamp claimed South Africa’s sixth strive, transformed by Jordan Hendrikse, and Wales nonetheless had 17 minutes left earlier than their distress can be over.

Jordan Hendrikse then added a closing strive that he additionally transformed, and Wales might escape to the sanctuary of their altering room after Botham’s late effort.

‘Let’s have a look at what occurs’ – Gatland coy on future

Wales head coach Warren Gatland informed TNT Sports activities: “It’s about seeing what the Welsh Rugby Union has to say.

“You do not decide straight after a sport, it is at all times powerful coming to a press convention straight after a sport earlier than you have had time to catch your breath and have a look at a number of the stats and numbers. Let’s simply see what occurs over the following few days.

“With a young group of players, I think they’ll learn a massive amount from today’s game against the world champions and hopefully there’s a step up next time when they play at this level with the intensity and physicality that a team like South Africa bring.”

‘We had been the place Wales are’ – Kolisi

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi informed TNT Sports activities: “We were where Wales are a couple of years ago. The only thing I can say is you just can’t stop believing.

“In case you have a look at their beginning backline, one in every of our guys had extra caps than all of them. It’s important to be lifelike about these items.

“Some of them are getting their first few caps, it takes time to build. As long as they keep working hard and keep believing things will change, next year they will be a little bit more experienced and can give a bit more.

“Issues can take time. I am so grateful for the folks of Wales who nonetheless got here out to assist them, as a result of this can be a proud rugby nation identical to South Africa.

“We have so much respect for the Welsh, that’s why we had our best team on the field and we gave everything. I have no doubt that Wales will pick it up.”

What’s subsequent?

Wales journey to France for the opening sport of the 2025 Six Nations on Friday, January 31 (kick-off 8.15pm).