Match Day Programme: Wales vs. South Africa

In a fixture that never lack in physicality, or intensity, the defending world champion Springboks, arrive at the Principality Stadium today in Cardiff with one goal in mind: to win against Wales. With both side having met last year during a Wales tour of South Africa, the Dragons earned their first ever win in South Africa albeit losing the series 2-1. With the Rugby World Cup just two weeks away, this will be a true and gruesome test for both sides. Thank you for joining us, this is Ultimate Rugby Match Day

Fixture: Wales vs South Africa

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

Kickoff Time: 15:15 (GMT)

Referee: Andrew Brace 

Head-to-head Played:

Played: 40

Wales Wins: 7

South Africa Wins: 32

Draws: 1

Points for:

Wales: 642

South Africa: 1,019 

Biggest winning margin:

Wales: 14 (26 November 2016)

South Africa: 83 (27 June 1998)

Last Meeting:  16 July 2022 – South Africa 30-14 Wales, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town.

2023 Autumn Nation Series

Wales

­L 19-17 (a) v England

W 20-9 (h) v England

2023 Six Nations Results 

Wales

L 41-28 (a) v France

W 29-17 (a) v Italy

L 20-10 (h) v England

L 35-7 (a) v Scotland

L 34-10 (a) v Ireland

2023 Rugby World Cup Warm-Up

South Africa

W 24-13 (a) v Argentina 

2023 Rugby Championship 

South Africa

W 43-12 (h) v Australia

L 35-20 (a) v New Zealand

W 22-21 (h) Argentina

Team News

Wales: Cai Evans, son of Wales legend Ieuan, will make his debut at full-back on Saturday after being called up from the bench following Liam Williams’ late withdrawal due to a tight hamstring. Jac Morgan, who starts at openside flanker, will captain the side for the second time.

South Africa: Springbok Rugby World Cup captain Siya Kolisi – as well as Ox Nche and Jaden Hendrikse – will make their first appearances of the year on Saturday. Cheslin Kolbe comes in on the left wing where he will form an exciting back three with veteran full-back Willie le Roux and right wing Canan Moodie.

World Cup Rankings

Wales win by 15 points or less – Wales 80.40, South Africa 87.24 Wales win by more than 15 points – Wales 81.26, South Africa 86.37 Draw – Wales 79.40, South Africa 88.24 South Africa win by 15 points or less – Wales 78.40, South Africa 89.24 South Africa win by more than 15 points – Wales 78.26, South Africa 89.37

• Andrew Brace takes charge of this fixture for the first time, however it will be his fourth time refereeing South Africa and his fifth in charge of Wales. 

• Wales have lost their last three matches with Brace in the middle, most recently 35-7 to Scotland in this year’s Six Nations. Two those defeats have come at home with Italy also victorious, 22-21 in the final round of the 2022 Six Nations.

• South Africa have a won two, lost one record with Brace in the middle, having beaten Argentina twice – including 22-21 in The Rugby Championship in July – and lost to England 27-26 in November 2021