Dominant Springboks inflict 12th Wales loss in row

Autumn Test Series

Wales (5) 12

Tries: Dyer, Botham. Con: Thomas

South Africa (26) 45

Tries: Mostert, Etzebeth, Arendse, Louw, Fassi, Steenekamp, Jordan Hendrikse Cons: Jordan Hendrikse (5)

South Africa easily out-muscled an inexperienced Wales to underline the gulf between the teams.

That the world champions would extend Wales’ winless run to 12 games came as little surprise.

And once second-rows Franco Mostert and Eben Etzebeth had crossed inside eight minutes, it looked almost a certainty.

Kurt-Lee Arendse and Elrigh Louw also crossed in the first half before Aphelele Fassi, Gerhard Steenekamp and man of the match Jordan Hendrikse all followed in a disjointed second half as South Africa showed no let up in the final game of their season.

Rio Dyer and James Botham crossed for what were consolation tries that, in the final minute, ensured Wales avoided a worst ever home defeat.

If there were positives for Wales it came from their flankers Botham and Jac Morgan and, at least, a desire to compete to the final whistle.

But while the closed roof of the Principality Stadium offered shelter from Storm Bert, there was no hiding from the relentless Springboks.

If one statistic told the game it was the 46 missed tackles by Wales as South Africa barged, bounced and battered their way to the try line - time and again.

South Africa scored seven tries but could have scored many more as Kolisi, twice, and Fassi were held up over the line.

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