Gerhard Steenekamp, Ethan Hooker, Jasper Wiese, Morne van den Berg, Wilko Lowe, Sacha Feinberg-Mgomezulu, Kanan Moody, Andre Esterhuizen, Luan Nortje and Eben Etzebeth scored for South Africa with 73 points. Wales suffered their worst ever defeat in Cardiff. Ezebeth red card for disgraceful eye gouging
Last updated: 29/11/25 17:50
South African center Andre Esterhuizen was brilliant as the Springboks obliterated Wales in Cardiff
South Africa suffered their worst ever defeat to Wales against Cardiff, with the hosts conceding 11 tries and losing 73-0.
The Springboks’ prop Gerhard Steenekamp, winger Ethan Hooker, number eight Jasper Wiese and scrum-half Morne van den Berg scored tries in the first half, but things got even worse for Wales in the second half.
Back-row Tain Plumtree and Aaron Wainwright went to the sin bin, tighthead Wilko Rowe, fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mgomezulu (two), winger Kanan Moody, center Andre Esterhuizen, lock Luan Nortje and substitute Eben Ezebeth scored tries in the second half to seal the shutout.
Wales – Not applicable
South Africa – Tries: Steenekamp (9), Hooker (14), Wiese (31), van den Berg (40+4), Lowe (43), Feinberg-Mgomezulu (46, 63), Moody (49), Esterhuizen (54), Nortje (69), Etzebeth (74). Cons: Feinberg-Mgomezulu (10, 15, 32, 40+4, 44, 47, 50, 64, 70).
Wales were without around 11 players as this Test was outside of World Rugby’s official testing period, but they were destroyed all over the pitch and never looked like scoring, becoming the first time they were held scoreless at home since 1967.
But experienced South African second-rower Ezebeth’s day ended in disgrace when he was shown a red card in the closing minutes for gouging Alex Mann’s eye.
A predictable pattern was set up from the first legal scrum, sending shivers down Wales’ spines and a penalty awarded halfway.
The ball was clinically recycled for prop Steenekamp to dive in from close range and Feinberg-Mgomezulu kicked the first of nine conversions.
Gerhard Steenekamp survives South Africa’s first Test challenge
South Africa had the upper hand in the scrum and Hooker survived a weak tackle to score their second goal, giving them a 14-point lead with just a few minutes remaining.
Winger Ethan Hooker scores South Africa’s second try after a great move from the backline.
Wiese restored the points from another scrum five yards out, but Wales’ first-half woes were not over as the visitors grabbed their fourth try in the dying moments.
Jasper Wiese touches down Wales’ third try as South Africa’s scrum moves forward
Esterhuizen opened up a hole in Wales’ midfield and scrum-half Van der Berg came close to scoring his fifth Test try in just six appearances.
The carnage continued in the second half, with Luu cashing in on another burst from Esterhuizen and Feinberg-Mgomezulu running through unchecked and successfully chasing down a loose ball kicked by Moody.
Scored three tries within 10 minutes and South Africa had a full eight-man ‘bomb squad’ bench in their squad.
Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg also contributed to the try scoring.
Wales spent 20 minutes in the second half down to 14 points after yellow cards for rearguard Thayne Plumtree and Aaron Wainwright, but South Africa showed no signs of letting up.
After Esterhuizen prevailed and Feinberg-Mgomezulu added a second goal, Nortje and Etzebeth – who has missed games and faces the prospect of long-term bans – kick-started Welsh rugby’s latest investigation.
Eben Ezebeth was given a red card in the final minute for his disgraceful eye gouge on Alex Mann.
Erasmus: The optics of Etzebeth’s red card don’t look good
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus said after the match:
“I don’t know what to say that won’t be controversial. It didn’t look good.
“It was a legitimate red card. It was definitely not the way we wanted to end the game. The optics were not good.”
Wales need to go through these days if they are to get back to the top – they have been since 2015
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi on TNT:
“I heard the media ask why Wales are playing this game. The only way for a team to get better is to play their best.
“I know their first-choice players haven’t been here, but the new players have a chance. When they come next year they’ll already be facing this situation. I know the Welsh are up against people who won’t stand up for anyone. We’ve been through this too.”
“In 2015, I don’t know how many people retired, but we went through this situation for the second year in a row, we were struggling, people were burning jerseys, no one wanted to look at us, but then Rassie[Erasmus]came and made a plan.
“So we know the players will compete and the coaching staff will have a plan. The young players who played today had a day of experience playing against top teams.”
Esterhuizen: There is a reward for effort.
Player of the Match Andre Esterhuizen on TNT:
“It was obviously a very tough match to end the tour. It’s been a long five weeks, but I’m very happy with this win. We’ve won this whole tour and we’ve worked hard for it, so we’re happy to get that reward.”
“No matter which team you pick each week, everyone steps up knowing their role. We all play together because everyone trusts each other and whoever comes in plays well.
“When you come to Wales, you expect a team that never gives up. We knew we had to dig deep for this team.”
What’s next?
Wales, who lost to South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina in the autumn and won against Japan in the closing stages, will next play in the first leg of the 2026 Six Nations, facing England on Saturday 7 February (kick-off 4.40pm).
South Africa’s season has now ended and they will not be back in action until July 2026, when they host England on Saturday 4th July, when rugby’s new Nations Championship begins.
