The Springboks thrashed Wales 43-0 in their Nations Championship third-round match in Durban on Saturday, 18 July 2026, running in seven tries to stretch their winning run to 11 consecutive Tests.
The result left South Africa top of the table on points difference, level with New Zealand, and held Wales scoreless for the second meeting running after a 73-0 defeat in November 2025, as reported by AFP.
How the Springboks broke Wales in Durban
South Africa led 19-0 at the interval before pulling clear after the break. Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Herschel Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Paul de Villiers, Jaco Williams and Kurt-Lee Arendse all crossed for tries as the hosts tightened their grip on a slippery evening.
Erasmus on grinding past Wales
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus told reporters the win was tougher than the scoreline suggested.
“We had to grind, it was 14-0 for nearly 30 minutes. There was concern that we struggled again in the second quarter, but this time we managed to squeeze through and were able to keep the pressure on.”
He said the wet conditions had shaped his side’s approach.
“It was really slippery, so it was going to be tough to play an expansive, pretty game of rugby. We are satisfied with 43 points and keeping them to zero.”
Erasmus pointed to a sharp defensive improvement after conceding four tries against Scotland in Pretoria the previous week.
“We defended a lot better than last week, we worked really hard on that.”
He then turned to the standings.
“So we have 15 points and we are on top of the table. Now we will park the Nations Championship for a while.”
Tandy praises effort against the Springboks
Wales coach Steve Tandy said his players had given everything against the world champions.
“Obviously we are bitterly disappointed in the scoreline, but I can only commend the team for the effort against the world champions.”
Tandy said two tries around half-time had proved costly.
“We stayed in the fight for a long time, but two blows (conceding tries), the first right on half-time and then just after (the break), were a pity.”
He framed the defeat as a lesson for a young side.
“We were up against the best team in the world and the most physical, but it is an experience you have to go through and learnt from it.”
What comes next for the Springboks
Wales now break until the Nations Championship resumes in November. South Africa travel to Argentina for a one-off Test on 8 August 2026, before facing New Zealand four times on consecutive Saturdays from 22 August 2026, twice in Johannesburg, once in Cape Town and once in the United States.
