If you’re a rugby fan in the UK, there’s nothing quite like the buzz of Wales v South Africa. It’s the kind of match that gets the blood pumping—Wales, with their heart-on-sleeve passion and belting anthems, squaring up against the Springboks, a juggernaut of power and precision. Since their first scrap in 1906, these two have been at it, producing some of the most gripping, gut-wrenching moments in the sport. For Welsh fans especially, it’s a chance to take on the world’s best and dream of an upset. Let’s dive into the history, the big games, the numbers, and what’s coming next, all served up for those of us who live for the roar of the Principality Stadium.
Kicking Off Over a Century Ago
Picture this: December 1, 1906, Swansea’s St Helen’s Ground, a chilly day, and South Africa rolling into town for their first-ever clash with Wales. The Springboks won 11-0, setting the tone for a rivalry that’s been lopsided but never dull. Fast forward to 2024, and they’ve played 43 times. South Africa’s got the edge with 35 wins, Wales have nabbed 7, and there’s one draw, way back in 1970. The Welsh Rugby Union and SA Rugby have kept this fixture alive, and it’s become a proper heavyweight bout since the game went pro in ’95.
| Stat | Wales | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 43 | 43 |
| Wins | 7 | 35 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| Win % | 16.3% | 81.4% |
| Points Scored | 672 | 1,189 |
| Tries Scored | 64 | 134 |
Numbers as of Nov 23, 2024. Source: ESPN Scrum
In 2007, they started playing for the Prince William Cup to mark 100 years of this rivalry. South Africa’s hoisted it most times, but Wales pulled off something special in 2022—a 13-12 win in Bloemfontein, their first ever on Springbok turf. That one had Welsh pubs rocking.
The Latest Showdowns: Tough Days for Wales
The most recent Wales v South Africa clash went down on November 23, 2024, at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with the Wales v South Africa kick-off time at 3:10 PM GMT. It was a rough one for the home side—South Africa steamrolled them 45-12, piling on seven tries through Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Elrigh Louw, Aphelele Fassi, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Jordan Hendrikse, who also nailed five conversions. Wales scrapped back with tries from Rio Dyer and James Botham (converted by Ben Thomas), but it wasn’t enough. That loss stretched Wales’ losing streak to 12 Tests, a grim record for a proud rugby nation.
Back in June 2024, at Twickenham, South Africa handed Wales another thumping, 41-13. The Springboks ran in tries via Jesse Kriel, a penalty try, Makazole Mapimpi, and Edwill van der Merwe. One of those tries—Mapimpi’s—caused a stir, as it came off a blatant forward pass that the officials missed. Wales, down to 13 players at one point after yellow cards to Rio Dyer and Aaron Wainwright, showed some fight with a try from skipper Dewi Lake and points from Sam Costelow’s boot, but the Boks were just too strong.
| Recent Games (2022-2024) | Date | Venue | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wales v South Africa | Nov 23, 2024 | Principality Stadium, Cardiff | 12-45 | South Africa |
| South Africa v Wales | Jun 22, 2024 | Twickenham, London | 41-13 | South Africa |
| Wales v South Africa | Aug 19, 2023 | Principality Stadium, Cardiff | 16-52 | South Africa |
| South Africa v Wales | Jul 16, 2022 | Cape Town | 30-14 | South Africa |
| South Africa v Wales | Jul 9, 2022 | Bloemfontein | 12-13 | Wales |
| South Africa v Wales | Jul 2, 2022 | Pretoria | 32-29 | South Africa |
Source: Sky Sports and RugbyPass
Matches That Live in Memory
This rivalry’s got no shortage of epic moments. Take the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final in Yokohama—South Africa sneaked past Wales 19-16, thanks to Handré Pollard’s deadly kicking. The Boks went on to lift the trophy, while Wales were left wondering what might’ve been. Then there’s the 2022 series in South Africa. Wales stunned everyone in Bloemfontein, nicking that 13-12 win with a Gareth Anscombe penalty in the dying moments. But the Springboks had the last laugh, taking the series with a 30-14 win in Cape Town, sealed by Damian Willemse’s late penalty.
Not everything’s been smooth, mind you. That Mapimpi try in June 2024 at Twickenham had Welsh fans up in arms—BBC Sport called it a clear officiating blunder, and the chatter on social media was relentless. It’s moments like these that keep the rivalry heated.
How They Play: Power vs. Pluck
South Africa’s all about muscle. They’ve got a set-piece that’s like a brick wall and ball-carriers who hit like freight trains. In 2024, they led all top-tier teams with a 38.9% dominant carry rate and 10.5% dominant tackle rate, according to World Rugby. Eben Etzebeth rules the lineout, Siya Kolisi never stops grafting, and new attack coach Tony Brown’s got their backline—think Kurt-Lee Arendse—scoring tries for fun.
Wales, under Warren Gatland, are in a rebuilding phase, leaning on young guns like Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell to hassle opponents at the breakdown. Their defensive line speed’s decent, but their tackling’s been shaky—2024 saw them with the worst dominant tackle rate among elite teams. Going forward, they’re more about kicking to get out of trouble and grinding through phases, but they can’t match South Africa’s raw attacking spark. In that November 2024 game, Wales made 215 tackles to the Boks’ 93, which tells you who was under the cosh.
The Magic of Principality Stadium
There’s nowhere like the Principality Stadium when it’s packed with 74,500 fans, the roof shut, and the hymns echoing. Wales v South Africa games since 2008 have drawn an average of 64,242 punters, and the atmosphere’s unreal—Siya Kolisi even gave a nod to the Cardiff crowd’s passion in 2024. But it’s been tough going for Wales lately; they’ve only won one of their last 11 Tests at home, a far cry from the glory days when Gatland’s side ruled the roost.
Who’s Making Waves
For the Boks, Franco Mostert was the star in November 2024, bossing the lineout and crossing for a try to nab man-of-the-match. Eben Etzebeth’s a human wrecking ball, and Jordan Hendrikse’s starting to pull strings in attack. On the Welsh side, James Botham—yep, Ian Botham’s grandson—bagged a try and showed some grit, while Jac Morgan’s non-stop tackling kept Wales in the fight. These lads are the mix of old hands and new blood driving both teams.
What’s Next for Both Sides
Wales are staring down a brutal Six Nations opener against France in Paris on January 31, 2025, at 8:15 PM GMT. After going 0-for-2024, Gatland’s feeling the heat—there’s talk of a Welsh Rugby Union review if things don’t turn around. He’s banging on about fixing the regional game and getting players fitter, but the fans just want to see that 2019 Grand Slam fire again.
South Africa, meanwhile, wrapped up 2024 with a 10-2 record, only tripped up by Ireland and Argentina. They’re already eyeing the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, where Kolisi, Etzebeth, and co. will be front and center. With Rassie Erasmus calling the shots and their attack clicking, they’re the team to beat heading toward the 2027 World Cup.
Catch the Next One
Mark your calendars—Wales v South Africa is back on November 15, 2025, at Principality Stadium, kicking off at 3:10 PM GMT. UK fans can tune in on TNT Sports, while US viewers can stream it on Peacock. Grab tickets via the Welsh Rugby Union. If you’re after schedules, Where’s The Match is your mate for UK broadcasts, and SuperSport has the Springboks covered with highlights and more.
Why It Matters to Us
In Wales, rugby’s more than a game—it’s who we are. When Wales v South Africa rolls around, the pubs are heaving, and X (formerly Twitter) lights up with fans tearing into dodgy ref calls or bigging up players like Jac Morgan. Before that one absolute hot topic is the Wales v South Africa kick off time and who gets benched. Over in South Africa, rugby’s a unifier, and beating Wales gets the braais firing. What’s special, though, is the respect—Kolisi’s shout-out to Welsh fans in 2024 shows there’s heart behind the hits. This rivalry’s a belter, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
