Wales' Rugby Struggles Intensify with Record Defeat to South Africa

2024-11-24

Wales’ rugby woes deepened as they suffered a record 12th consecutive defeat, losing 45-12 to South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series at the Principality Stadium. The result marks a grim milestone for Welsh rugby, as they finished the year winless for the first time since 1937, having lost all five of their matches during the Six Nations and a series of autumn games against top-tier teams.

South Africa, the reigning world champions, dominated the match early on, with tries from Franco Mostert and Eben Etzebeth in the opening minutes setting the tone. Wales struggled to cope with the physicality of their opponents, conceding five tries in the first half, with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Elrigh Louw also crossing the line before Wales managed to score a consolation try just before halftime through Rio Dyer.

The second half saw more dominance from the Springboks, who added tries from Aphelele Fassi, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Jordan Hendrikse, while James Botham scored a late consolation try for Wales. Despite showing flashes of determination, especially in defence, the Welsh side’s inability to tackle effectively was highlighted by their staggering 46 missed tackles throughout the game.

Head coach Warren Gatland faced increasing scrutiny following the latest defeat, having overseen only six victories in 23 Tests since his return as head coach. Discussion is already underway regarding his future as the Welsh Rugby Union prepares for a post-autumn review. Gatland has indicated his desire to continue but acknowledged the pressing need for change within Welsh rugby, particularly in player development and regional cooperation.

South Africa, on the other hand, finished their season strongly, with an impressive record of 11 wins from 13 matches in 2024, solidifying their position as the number one ranked team in the world. Captain Siya Kolisi praised the Welsh players for their effort and urged them to maintain belief in their abilities. Meanwhile, Gatland expressed hope that the experience gained by his young squad could lead to improvements in the upcoming Six Nations, urging that a collaborative approach between the Welsh Rugby Union and regional clubs is essential for future success.

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