An experienced South African side secured the 52-16 win over the youthful, inexperienced Dragons, marking their biggest victory in Wales to date. 

The Welsh lost a few experienced players earlier in the week to injury when Dan Biggar and Liam Williams were not named in the side due to a back spasm and a hamstring niggle, respectively. This decision spared the players for the World Cup but unfortunately left the side vulnerable against the South Africans.

Bok Captain, Siya Kolisi, was welcomed back to the field this week after nursing an injury and wasted no time in making his presence known. He set up the sides’ first try within the first five minutes of the game, seeing Malcolm Marx dot over the line to put SA on the scoreboard. 

The first half looked rather slow for South Africa with multiple missed conversions from Libbok and secured penalties from Wales’ Sam Costelow but tries from Marx, Canan Moodie and Jesse Kriel took the half-time score to a 24-9 lead for the visitors.

Momentum was gained in the second-half as the Boks wasted no time in securing a try 10 minutes in by the work of Jesse Kriel. Shortly after, both Pieter-Steph du Toit and Canan Moodie dotted down, increasing the gap between South Africa and Wales.

Moodie was named man of the match for his outstanding performance this afternoon as he made a major impact for the side alongside his fellow try scorers and team mates.

As much as the eight try win is a massive victory, the fact that a warm-up game is used to identify works on for the World Cup remains.

It is evident that the Bos will need to brush up on their discipline after conceding three penalties in the first half as well as a yellow card in the second-half.

The yellow card came after a dangerous tackle by Damian Willemse, sending him to the bench when there was 10 minutes left on the clock.

Libboks' missed conversions were also a highlighted concern.

But, despite the concerns, overall, the Boks showed up and dominated in Cardiff, walking away with a victory in hand and an opportunity to close the necessary gaps in preparation for their title defence World Cup campaign. 

Kayla Barker/OFM Sport