Springboks pleased as they complete Outgoing Tour clean sweep with 73-0 win over Wales

ATHENIAN politician Alcibiades, who lived around 400BC, has been credited by some historians as the person who invented the hammock. You know, that comfy "bed" suspended by ropes at either end. If ever there was a powerful definition of comfort or rest, I am sure that Alcibiades' invention is at the top of that list.

So, understand that when it comes to pleasure, there are few things that compare with snuggling into rest after a job well done. The sense of accomplishment, seeing all your plans come together after a hard slog, must be the reason Alcibiades invented the hammock.

And now, after a long, tough Outgoing Tour, the Springboks can flop down and take a well-earned rest.

One gets that impression after Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said the team’s emphatic 73-0 victory over Wales was driven by a shared sense of responsibility – both to each other and to the people back home. Speaking after the Test at the Principality Stadium, Kolisi said the environment created within the squad makes his role straightforward.

“I have so many guys around me, and we have a lot of them who have captained the team,” said Kolisi. “It’s a privilege to play as hard as we can so that there is something to smile about, to give the people going through hopeless situations at home hope. Our purpose is always for our people back home.”

Kolisi’s remarks reflected a Springbok side that finished their 2025 campaign with conviction, completing the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour unbeaten for the second year in a row and closing the season as the top-ranked team in the world.

Composure and precision

Head coach Rassie Erasmus praised the composure and precision of the performance, emphasising that the result was built on consistency and discipline through the tour.

“I’m very proud of the way we played,” said Erasmus. “We never underestimated Wales, regardless of where they were in the world rankings, and their team as well, in general. We delivered a controlled performance today and we don’t have guys who just roll over. They take the shots, and tonight I thought it was one of the more clinical performances.”

Erasmus noted the significance of ending the year at No.1, even if the Springboks usually pay little attention to rankings. “We never look at the world rankings, but this year finishing at the top of the rankings was important for us,” he said.

He added that the goal next season remains balancing results with the need to build depth: “We’ll still try to get more caps into the players.”

He also addressed Eben Etzebeth’s late red card for making contact with the eye of a Welsh player. “It didn’t look good, and I thought it was a justified red card. I’m not sure if it was provoked, but that’s not the way we want to play.”

Encouragement for the Welsh team

The coach also offered encouragement for a Welsh side currently battling for stability: “Things can change quickly, and a lot can change in one year. If you look at the players they lost in one patch, there were so many players I’ve coached against, and they are experienced guys, who understand the Welsh psyche and what they stand for.”

On the field, the Springboks controlled proceedings from the first whistle, scoring 11 tries in what became their biggest win of 2025. Their dominance began up front, where the scrum repeatedly set the platform for scores. Three of the first-half tries came directly from scrum pressure, with Ethan Hooker, Jasper Wiese and Morne van den Berg all finishing from close range.

Gerhard Steenekamp opened the scoring with a powerful finish after sustained attacking phases in the Welsh 22, and Hooker added a second try after a clean strike move from midfield. Wiese’s score followed another commanding set-piece, while Van den Berg capped the half by darting under the posts after more dominance at scrum time.

The Springboks shifted gears after half-time, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu central to the acceleration. He finished the match with 28 points — two tries and nine conversions — and produced one of the moments of the night when he tapped quickly, burst through the defence and scored to extend the lead to 42–0.

Canan Moodie added another soon after, hacking ahead a loose ball and outpacing the Welsh cover. Andre Esterhuizen, later named Player of the Match, crossed in the corner following enterprising phase play, and Ruan Nortje powered over for his first Test try. Etzebeth scored South Africa’s final try before his dismissal, sealing a one-sided finale to an outstanding Bok season.

All the more reason for the players and coaching staff to tie up their hammocks and take a well-earned nap!

Scorers:

Wales 0

Springboks 73 (28) – Tries: Gerhard Steenekamp, Ethan Hooker, Jasper Wiese, Morne van den Berg, Wilco Louw, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen, Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth. Conversions: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (9).