Springboks Close Out 2025 With Record 73–0 Rout of Wales in Cardiff
- Karen Scheepers
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
The Springboks ended their extraordinary 2025 season with a 73–0 demolition of Wales at a packed Principality Stadium in Cardiff, a performance that underlined South Africa’s unrivalled power, depth, and consistency across a year that delivered a second consecutive unbeaten November tour. With 11 tries, a dominant forward platform, and another masterful outing from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the world champions closed their campaign with emphasis, authority, and a statement that reverberates into 2026.
First-Half Dominance: Foundation of Power
South Africa needed little time to impose their physical superiority. After multiple phases inside the Welsh 22, Gerhard Steenekamp powered over to score his second Test try in his first starting appearance, a moment that set the tone for everything that followed.
The scrum, again a devastating weapon on this tour, became Wales’s undoing. Three of the Boks’ first-half tries came directly from scrum pressure that saw the Welsh pack repeatedly drive backwards or splinter under impact.
Ethan Hooker finished a sharp midfield strike move after a controlled scrum launch.
Jasper Wiese bulldozed over from the base in the 31st minute.
Morné van den Berg added a fourth moments before halftime after a shuddering carry from André Esterhuizen and another collapse of Welsh resistance at scrum time.
With Feinberg-Mngomezulu slotting all four conversions, the Boks entered the break 28–0, already well on their way to the biggest victory of their season.
Second-Half Acceleration: Wales Overwhelmed
Any hopes of a Welsh revival were crushed within minutes of the restart. The Boks shifted seamlessly into a higher gear, blending power with sharp attacking instinct.
Wilco Louw
Drove over from close range after sustained phase pressure.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s Double
The young flyhalf delivered a scintillating solo try from a quick tap penalty, accelerating into space before converting his own score. Minutes later, he added his second by supporting a sweeping movement and finishing with composure.
By the time he completed his personal tally, 28 points from two tries and nine conversions, the match had already turned into a masterclass.
Canan Moodie
Reacted fastest to a loose ball, hacking ahead and beating the Welsh cover for a crowd-silencing try.
André Esterhuizen (Player of the Match)
Crashing over in the corner after the “Bomb Squad” emptied onto the field, Esterhuizen continued his exceptional tour form, blending brute strength with sharp line-running.
Ruan Nortje’s First Test Try
The only forward not substituted earlier, Nortje capped a tireless shift with his maiden Test try from close range.
Eben Etzebeth
Wrapped up the try-scoring with the Boks’ eleventh, though a later red card for contact with the eyes marred the closing minutes of the contest.
At 73–0, the Boks closed out their biggest win of the year, and one of the largest in their modern history.
Defensive Perfection: Wales Held to Zero
Just as impressive as South Africa’s attack was their defensive clampdown. Wales were denied any scoreboard entry, the result of:
dominant collisions
breakdown brutality
tireless tackle accuracy
disciplined scramble patterns
The defensive spine of Willemse, Kriel, de Allende, and Smith extinguished Welsh momentum before it could ignite, while the forward pack repeatedly turned over possession through counter-ruck pressure.
Cobus Reinach’s Golden Milestone: 50 Test Caps
Behind the celebration of 73 points was another historic achievement. Cobus Reinach earned his 50th Test cap, joining the elite half-century club in one of the most dominant Springbok displays of recent years.
Reinach, whose international journey began in 2014, delivered calm leadership and trademark energy in the final Test of the season. After an 11-year climb marked by patience, competition, and perseverance, the scrumhalf described the milestone as a “privilege” and “a dream lived 50 times over.”
He reflected on the broader significance:
2025 had been “about more than the tour, it was about the whole season.”
The Boks “learned more through adversity than through easy wins.”
The squad remained “tight-knit, competitive, and united,” with a culture that continues to inspire.
What Made the Boks Untouchable in 2025
South Africa’s perfect northern tour (five wins from five) and back-to-back unbeaten Novembers highlight several enduring strengths:
1. Set-Piece Mastery
The scrum remains the gold standard of world rugby. Opponents across Europe simply had no consistent answer.
2. Tactical Discipline
Even with rotating lineups, the Boks maintained shape, physicality, and patience.
3. Depth Without Weakness
Every replacement added intensity. The “Bomb Squad” remains a global phenomenon.
4. Emergence of Young Stars
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Hooker, Nortje, and others turned potential into production.
5. Leadership Stability
Reinach’s milestone, Kolisi’s century, Snyman’s 50th, and Erasmus’s 50th as head coach have fortified a culture that continues to thrive on cohesion.
Final Match Statistics
Category | Wales | South Africa |
Score | 0 | 73 (28) |
Tries | – | Steenekamp, Hooker, Wiese, Van den Berg, Louw, Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Moodie, Esterhuizen, Nortje, Etzebeth |
Conversions | – | Feinberg-Mngomezulu (9) |
Final Whistle
South Africa’s 73–0 victory was more than a final flourish, it was a culmination. A season characterised by adversity, red cards, injuries, and pressure ended with a reminder of what makes the Springboks the most formidable force in world rugby.
The final whistle in Cardiff closed the chapter not only on a successful tour, but on an unforgettable year in Springbok history.
They finished unbeaten. They finished united. They finished undisputed champions of the world heading into 2026.
All image credits: Springboks
🏉🔥💪🏆
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