Wales vs South Africa: 23 November 2024 at Principality Stadium
The Springboks need no introduction. Double World Cup winners in 2019 and 2023, British & Irish Lions series winners in 2021 and reigning current Rugby Championship holders, they land in Cardiff with a fearsome reputation.
Blessed with envious strength-in-depth, a genial coach, humongous forwards and an electrifying backline, they have arguably taken over the mantle as the world’s best team from their old foes, the All Blacks.
Coach
When Rassie Erasmus took the reins with the Boks in 2018, they were in disarray.
Sixth in the World Rugby rankings, after losses to Argentina and Italy, and a home series loss to Ireland, there was soul-searching in the Rainbow Nation.
Attention turned to their former 36-cap back-rower, who had had a successful period with Munster.
Erasmus was tasked with guiding the team back to the summit of World Rugby – and seven years later, few would question the job he has done.
Along with Jacques Nienaber, he formed a multi-talented coaching set-up, which included Welshman Aled Walters and won everything.
A creative thinker and arch-tactician, Erasmus has become one of the most high-profile figures in his home country and is revered around the rugby world.
Captain: Siya Kolisi
Siya Kolisi is a true rags to riches story, befitting a Hollywood tear-jerker.
Born into poverty in Zwide, a township near Port Elizabeth, he lost his mother at 15 and adopted his two half-siblings, who had been in foster care since her death.
Known for his inspiring oratory skills and leadership qualities, Kolisi is now a bonafide global superstar.
On the field, as an openside flanker, he is known for his work-rate, strength over the ball and handling skills.
Indeed, Kolisi transcends rugby.
Eleven years after making his debut, and with 89 caps, he started the Kolisi Foundation in 2020, to address gender-based violence in under-resourced areas of his native country.
A true force for good.
Player to watch: Cheslin Kolbe
With a team full of superstars, picking one player Wales need to keep tabs on is not easy, but Cheslin Kolbe’s performances in 2024 have led pundits to question whether he could be the best player in the world, even usurping the mercurial Antoine Dupont.
Even though he stands at a miniscule 5-foot-7 and is 12 stone soaking wet, his power, and speed to bounce lumbering forwards has stupefied commentators and fans alike.
He has 16 tries in his 38 appearances for the Springboks and such is his versatility, he has been known to take penalty kicks and even throw in at the lineout.
Kolbe’s bewitching broken-field running is a sight to behold.
South Africa form guide
Formidable.
Since the start of the 2023 World Cup, they have played 15 Tests, winning 12 and only losing to Ireland twice – once in the Pool stages of the tournament in France and again to Ireland in the second Test in Durban where they lost 25-24 to a late, late Kieran Crowley drop-goal – and once to Los Pumas.
They won the Rugby Championship comfortably, only losing by a point to Argentina, 29-28, in Santiago Del Estero, after a late missed Manie Libbok kick.
There is hope for Wales, however.
In the last decade, they have won six out of their 13 encounters, with many notable Springboks voicing how difficult it was to face Warren Gatland teams.
One from the archives: Wales 29-19 South Africa (June 26, 1999, Millennium Stadium)
Who can forget the magnificent opening game of Principality Stadium (formerly Millennium Stadium) in June 1999?
With the stadium only able to hold 27 000 people due to safety regulations as the new home of Welsh rugby was finished ahead of the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony, Wales, under coach Graham Henry faced the mighty Springboks.
Despite being unbeaten for 93 years, Wales were on a five-game winning run and a memorable break by Mark Taylor saw him scoring the first try in the stadium, in which Wales emerged victorious with the help of the metronomic boot of Neil Jenkins.
The result was all the more surprising because 12 months earlier, they had been beaten 96-13 in Pretoria.
Never give up hope was the overriding lesson from an unforgettable summer’s day.
Did you know?
The Springboks first wore the iconic bottle-green jersey and gold collars in 1903, after it was said to have been inspired by the landscape in South Africa.
In 1906, their captain Paul Roos decided to nickname them ‘the Springboks’, and the rest, as they say, is history.
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE TO SEE THE BOKS LIVE IN ACTION IN CARDIFF
Alternatively, watch the Boks in style from hospitality at Principality Stadium, find out more about the Wales v South Africa packages here.
