Springboks secure 43-0 victory over Wales in Nations Championship

By Charlotte Reid — 19 July 2026 — 3 min read

The Springboks achieved a decisive 43-0 victory over Wales in a Nations Championship match held in Durban. The South African side demonstrated physical dominance across the field and in set pieces, leaving Wales unable to score any points throughout the contest.

The match highlighted the differing stages of rebuilding for both teams, with South Africa showcasing a strong performance. Despite damp conditions contributing to a stop-start affair, the Springboks maintained control for much of the game.

First-half dominance and key tries

The Springboks opened their scoring with a try from Jasper Wiese, who broke through the Welsh defence. This set the tone for a dominant first half. Vusi Moyo, the 20-year-old fly-half, played a significant role, slotting three conversions and setting up a try during his 47 minutes on the field. His performance alongside experienced players like Cobus Reinach and a strong forward pack was noted.

Towards the end of the first half, Jesse Kriel scored a try, benefiting from Jaco Williams’ aerial skills and a cross-kick from a fellow debutant. This extended the Springboks’ lead, with Kriel’s work-rate and defensive reads contributing to keeping Wales scoreless. The Welsh defence, despite some scrambling efforts, struggled to contain the Springboks’ attacks.

The South African scrum proved particularly effective, with Carlu Sadie making a strong debut performance. Sadie’s scrummaging prowess was a key factor, consistently putting pressure on the Welsh front row. This dominance in the set piece was a recurring theme, often leading to penalties for South Africa.

Second-half control and additional scores

The second half saw the Springboks continue their scoring. Early in the half, Jaco Williams, making his Test debut, scored a try after having set up a previous one before half-time. Williams’ speed and ability under the high ball were highlighted as significant assets. He later assisted another try for Herschel Jantjies.

Wales attempted to establish some attacking phases in the South African 22, particularly around the 45-minute mark. However, these efforts were often thwarted by errors or strong Springbok defence, leading to penalties against them. The Welsh struggled to convert any pressure into points, even when forcing repeated penalties from the Springboks.

Further tries in the second half came from Jantjies, who cantered over unopposed, and Kurt-Lee Arendse, who raced into the corner for his 25th career try. Paul de Villiers also secured his first Test try. The Springboks’ replacements, including Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok, maintained the team’s momentum and scrum dominance, ensuring no let-up in pressure on Wales.

A notable moment occurred in the 67th minute, amidst crowd celebrations for Nelson Mandela’s birthday, when Arendse scored. The match concluded with De Villiers scoring from the rear of a maul in the final minute, solidifying the 43-0 scoreline. The Welsh team, despite their efforts, were unable to breach the Springbok defence, even from promising lineout positions.

The performance saw several Springbok players receive high ratings, with Moyo, Williams, De Villiers, and Cobus Wiese particularly noted for their contributions. Jasper Wiese was described as brutal in his run, scoring the opening try. The Springboks’ robust forward pack proved too strong for Wales, with players like Malcolm Marx and Gerhard Steenekamp contributing to a dominant scrum.

The match served as a clear illustration of the Springboks’ current form and their physical superiority on the day.

Source: theguardian.com