Springboks humiliate Wales: 73-0, worst historical defeat in Cardiff

Wales suffers historic defeat against South Africa

The Welsh rugby team experienced a day to forget, being defeated by a score of 73-0 against South Africa in a match played in Cardiff. This humiliating defeat represents the largest suffered by Wales on its home turf and marks the end of a year full of difficulties for Welsh rugby. Steve Tandy’s team, with a weakened lineup, couldn’t cope with the Springboks’ powerful game, who managed to score 11 tries at the Principality Stadium. The match had a controversial ending when Eben Etzebeth, a substitute player, was sent off for assaulting Alex Mann. South Africa, which will remain at the top of the world ranking until 2025, dominated the match from the start, reaching halftime with a 28-0 lead. The tries were scored by Gerhard Steenekamp, Ethan Hooker, Jasper Wiese and Morne van der Berg. In the second half, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu added two tries, along with scores from Wilco Louw, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen, Ruan Nortje and Etzebeth. With this result, the Springboks surpassed England’s victory in Cardiff with a score of 68-14. Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who studied at Llandovery College in Carmarthenshire, contributed an additional 18 points thanks to his kicks, totaling 28 personal points.

In a year marked by numerous setbacks, Wales suffered their second scoreless defeat in 2025, after losing 43-0 to France in the Six Nations. The post-match analysis between Tandy and his team will highlight the great difference between Wales and the world champions. However, the Welsh Rugby Union’s decision to schedule this match in the first place will be questioned. Wales were forced to field a weakened team, without their 13 players who play in England and France, as the match was played outside the official World Rugby test window. Although South Africa also had casualties, it could count on a talented squad, with a bench that surpassed the starting team of Wales in experience.

From the first scrum, a South African dominance was anticipated, which generated a penalty in favor of the Springboks. Steenekamp took the opportunity to score the first try, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted.

The scrum dominance led to a second try, and within minutes, South Africa already had a 14-point lead. Wiese scored another try, and before halftime, the visitors got their fourth try. The second half continued in the same vein, with more tries for Louw, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Moodie. Wales played 20 minutes of the second half with two players less due to yellow cards to Taine Plumtree and Aaron Wainwright. South Africa took advantage to increase their lead with tries from Esterhuizen, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Nortje and Etzebeth, who could face a long suspension.