South Africa maintained their perfect start to the Nations Championship with a commanding 43-0 bonus-point victory over Wales in Durban on Saturday, scoring seven tries to strengthen their position in the competition.
Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Herschel Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Paul de Villiers, Jaco Williams and Kurt-Lee Arendse all crossed the try line as the Springboks overwhelmed their visitors. Despite the convincing scoreline, the hosts were left frustrated after failing to convert several promising opportunities into additional points.
Wales struggled to make an impact and were held scoreless against South Africa for the second successive meeting, following last November’s 73-0 defeat. However, head coach Steve Tandy will take encouragement from his side’s defensive intensity and relentless work rate throughout the contest.
The Springboks fielded a much-changed lineup, handing international debuts to four players while resting several experienced stars. Among the standout performers was 20-year-old flyhalf Vusi Moyo, who impressed as coach Rassie Erasmus continued to expand his squad depth.
The victory lifted South Africa to the top of the Southern Hemisphere standings on points difference ahead of New Zealand at the halfway stage of the tournament.
Flanker Paul de Villiers admitted there was room for improvement despite the emphatic result.
“You can see that on our faces,” De Villiers said. “We wanted to bring our physicality and we did that in the set-piece, in our carries and our defence. The ball was a bit wet and cost us in execution.”