South Africa led 28–0 at half-time before cutting loose in the second stanza to record their biggest victory of the year.

Backed once more by a dominant pack, the Boks were simply too powerful and too precise for a Welsh side that had no answer to the world champions’ physicality or tempo. The South Africans crossed the whitewash for 11 tries in total, with flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu delivering a standout performance – scoring two tries and slotting nine conversions for a personal tally of 28 points.

Big ban incoming for Eben Etzebeth for eye gouging.

Cant be doing that. pic.twitter.com/sudD3QzSrm

— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) November 29, 2025

However, the only blemish of the night came late in the match when Eben Etzebeth received a red card for making contact with the eyes of a Welsh player during a scuffle. This is arguably the most severe offence in rugby, and South Africa’s most capped international must brace himself for a lengthy ban – one that won’t just be weeks, but rather months.

The Boks’ scrum once again proved a lethal attacking platform, producing three first-half tries directly from set-piece ascendancy. Gerhard Steenekamp opened the scoring after a sustained multi-phase assault in the Welsh 22, crashing over for his second Test try in what was his first start for South Africa.

From a powerful midfield scrum, Ethan Hooker struck next, finishing superbly after neat interplay and a sharp inside step. Wales attempted to hang on, but their resistance crumbled as Jasper Wiese powered over from the base of another dominant scrum in the 31st minute.

Morné van den Berg then capped a commanding opening half when he darted over under the posts, the try created by another pulverising scrum followed by a strong carry from André Esterhuizen.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu - Springboks

South Africa varied their approach after the break, mixing power with innovation as they ran Wales ragged. Wilco Louw barged over for his second Test try following relentless pressure close to the red zone, before Feinberg-Mngomezulu produced a brilliant solo effort – taking a quick tap, slicing through a gap, and scoring as the visitors accelerated into overdrive.

Canan Moodie added his name to the scoresheet with a superb opportunistic try, hacking ahead a loose ball and outsprinting the cover defence to make it 49–0.

Ethan Hooker - Springboks

Rassie Erasmus then unleashed the full Bomb Squad, emptying the bench in one go, and the fresh legs had immediate impact. Esterhuizen, later named Player of the Match, finished off another sweeping attack in the corner for South Africa’s eighth try.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu added his second try soon after, before Ruan Nortjé – the only forward not substituted earlier – was rewarded for his tireless work rate with his maiden Test try. Two further conversions saw the Boks storm into a 68–0 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Gerhard Steenekamp - Springboks

Etzebeth crossed for the final try of the night before receiving his marching orders, but by then the damage had long been done as the Boks wrapped up a commanding, statement-making triumph.

The 73–0 demolition not only underscores South Africa’s depth and form heading into 2026 but also reinforces their standing as the benchmark in world rugby.

Scorers:

Springboks: Tries - Gerhard Steenekamp, Ethan Hooker, Jasper Wiese, Morné van den Berg, Wilco Louw, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2, Canan Moodie, André Esterhuizen, Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth Conv. - Feinberg-Mngomezulu 9

Morgan Piek OFM Sport