The Springboks completed an unbeaten end-of-year tour with a record win against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.
The Boks scored 11 tries to triumph 73-0 and inflict Wales’ biggest-ever home defeat.
It was a 12th victory in 14 Tests in 2025 for the back-to-back world champions, who again end the year ranked No 1.
Both sides fielded much-changed line-ups due to the match being held outside World Rugby’s Test window, resulting in the release of frontline players to their clubs – 13 in the case of the 11th-ranked hosts.
Wales started relatively well after a typically rousing rendition of their national anthem, but the gulf in quality between the teams soon become apparent.
The Boks’ first try stemmed from a scrum penalty and was scored by loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp.
Another dominant set-piece resulted in an attack down the short side and a try to winger Ethan Hooker, with flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu again slotting the conversion.
Ethan Hooker for the second week in a row
It starts with a monster scrum and from there, beautiful hands to create the space
Stream live: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw #SSRugby | #QuilterNS pic.twitter.com/FeNT4snZE1
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 29, 2025
The Bok pack gave them a third try on the half-hour mark when No 8 Jasper Wiese dotted down before the referee could award a penalty try.
And they struck again with the clock in the red, Morne van den Berg darting over following a big carry by Andre Esterhuizen to make it 28-0 at the break.
It was more of the same in the second half, with tighthead Wilco Louw crashing over early on and Wales flank Taine Plumtree seeing yellow.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Canan Moodie scored while he was off, prompting the introduction of the entire Bok bench at once.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets another one
Quick thinking from the Springbok flyhalf and he’s straight up the guts for an eighth of the season
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 29, 2025
Esterhuizen’s second try was followed by a yellow card for Wales No 8 Aaron Wainwright for shoulder-to-the head contact, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu grabbing his double against 14 men.
Ruan Nortje and Eben Etzebeth then crossed in quick succession, before the latter was red-carded for an eye-gouge during a late scuffle.
Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
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