Springboks vs Wales: A look at the numbers

The world champion Springboks returned to action for the first time since winning the 2023 World Cup. A clinical performance by a South African side that had many new faces, and the ommission of regular players who were still on club duty. After a closely contested first half, the Springboks ran away with the game in the second half to win 41-13 at Twickenham.

However, the score only tells us one story, lets take a quick look at the numbers.

Leading the numbers in metres gained, was Springbok duo Evan Roos and Aphelele Fassi with 78 metres gained. Not far behind them was fellow teammate and man of the match Edwill van der Merwe with 71 metres gained.

Leading the pack with defenders beaten was Edwill van der Merwe with four, one ahead of Roos and Wales' Dewi Lake who beat three defenders each. Damien de Allende who came off the bench, came on and also beat three defenders.

Van der Merwe who had a stellar game, topped the stats beating two defenders, the most of anyone in the game. Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi carried the ball 25 times, two better than Roos who carried the ball 13 times. Finishing third on the list is was Wales' hooker Dewi Lake who ended 10 carries respectively.

Faf de Klerk completed 40 passes, almost twice as much as his Welsh counterpart Ellis Bevan who completed 28 passes, one more than his fellow teammate Gareth Davies who completed 27.

Kwagga Smith and Eben Etzebeth completed two offloads each, more than any other players on the day. 

Meanwhile, Ben Carter was resolute for Wales on defence, completing 16 tackles, while fellow countrymen Taine Plumtree completed 13 tackles, and Gareth Thomas 12.