Historic Defeat for Wales as Springboks Run Riot
Wales suffered their most devastating home defeat in history, falling 73-0 to a dominant South African side at the Principality Stadium. The Springboks scored eleven tries in a completely one-sided Autumn Nations Series encounter, while Wales failed to register a single point for the first time in the professional era.
Etzebeth's Late Red Card Mars Springbok Dominance
While South Africa's performance was overwhelmingly impressive, the match ended on a sour note when veteran lock Eben Etzebeth received a red card just two minutes from time. The incident occurred during a fracas where Etzebeth, standing significantly taller than his opponents, was seen jabbing his thumb into the eye of Welsh player Alex Mann. This marked South Africa's third red card of the autumn internationals and was described as the least contentious dismissal of the season.
Financial Pressures Behind Unwanted Fixture
The buildup to this Test match was overshadowed by its characterisation as the game nobody wanted, with both teams missing upwards of a dozen players each due to club commitments in England and France after the closure of the international window. Welsh regions were particularly stretched, requiring loan players to fulfil their United Rugby Championship fixtures.
The harsh financial reality facing the Welsh Rugby Union made this fixture necessary despite the circumstances. With the stadium only two-thirds full, the extra revenue generated was considered precious for an organisation grappling with the economic realities of professional rugby's third decade.
South Africa's dominance was evident from the outset, with the Springboks covering the 40-point handicap set by bookmakers just five minutes into the second half. Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu delivered an outstanding individual performance, scoring two tries and converting nine of the eleven tries for a personal haul of 28 points.
None of South Africa's eleven tries could be described as dazzling, with most stemming from an utterly dominant scrum and brutal physicality. Wales managed just one lineout in the Springbok 22 during the first half, which they overthrew, and didn't gain possession in the opposition 'red zone' until the 58th minute, only to immediately concede a penalty.
The match's one-sided nature was further emphasised when South Africa brought on all eight replacements just ten minutes into the second half, introducing a fresh pack that included players of Etzebeth's calibre against a Welsh side already 49-0 down. Etzebeth himself scored the final try of the rout with five minutes remaining before his subsequent dismissal for the eye-gouging incident.
