WALES
No.Name
5Alun Wyn Jones, L
2Ken Owens, H
7Justin Tipuric, FL
6Ellis Jenkins, FL
1Nicky Smith, P
8Ross Moriarty, -
9Gareth Davies, SH
4Adam Beard, L
3Tomas Francis, P
T
15Liam Williams, FB
T
14George North, W
13Jonathan Davies, C
12Hadleigh Parkes, C
11Josh Adams, W
10Gareth Anscombe, FH
2
Replacements
16Elliot Dee, -
17Rob Evans, -
18Dillon Lewis, -
19Cory Hill, -
20Aaron Wainwright, -
21Tomos Williams, -
22Dan Biggar, -
2
23Owen Watkin, -

*Players currently on the pitch are shown in bold

Game Info

Venue: Principality Stadium
10:20 PM, November 23, 2018
Attendance: 62,203
All CommentaryKey Events

Match Commentary

81'20-11 End of second half
80'Full-time analysis from Jamie Braidwood in Cardiff:

"That's a huge result for Wales. Jonathan Davies and Alun Wyn Jones collapsed to the turf at full-time, such was the effort they, and the whole Wales 23, put in today in stopping the Springboks. Jesse Kriel's try in the corner made things interesting, and it got rather tense for a while here in Cardiff, but then Dan Biggar came on to guide the Welsh to a deserved victory, and their first ever November sweep. South Africa were out of sorts, but the strength of this Wales squad cannot be underestimated heading into a massive 2019."
80'Very sad pictures at the end of this match -- Ellis Jenkins, a late replacement at flanker for Wales and who was a strong contender for man of the match, is being stretchered off the field with his leg in an air-cast. You can only hope that looks more serious than it actually is, but Jenkins looks distraught.
80'Amazing hands from Kolisi but amazing swarm defence from Wales. They've been immense today. And that, will be that. It ends on a penalty for Wales, for South Africa not releasing. Great, great play from Wales, and a great end to their year - nine successive Test wins, and four this month.
80'"Wales, Wales, Wales" sings the crowd. They know this match is done.
79'Penalty South Africa, but they have virtually no time left for two scores. They're moving the ball fast, but deep inside their own half. Into the final minute.
78'Knock on by Wales on the floor. But they're a long way from their own line, and that is a result in itself.
77'Wales moving it a few yards sideways, then a ruck, then a few yards sideways, then a ruck. This is good kill-ball from them. And then wonderful hands from Cory Hill to get the ball to George North on the wing. Wales doing exactly what they need to. The win is very nearly theirs.
77'Player substituted - Hadleigh Parkes , Wales
77'Substitute on - Owen Watkin , Wales
76'Into the final five minutes. South Africa still only 10 metres inside the Wales half. Nine phases into the move, and Wales get a penalty for not releasing. It's hard to see Wales losing from this position.
76'Player substituted - Aphiwe Dyantyi , South Africa
76'Substitute on - Damian Willemse , South Africa
75'South Africa have the ball, but are only at halfway. They need to make ground fast, and maybe even land a drop goal soon, to give themselves a chance of winning this match.
73'Scrum for Wales, five metres inside the South Africa half. They'll be in no hurry to line this up. The clock is bleeding away for South Africa.
72'Sweetly through the posts from Biggar. Wales are eight minutes away from their first ever clean sweep in November.
72'20-11 Penalty goal - Dan Biggar , Wales
71'Biggar takes a deep, high ball well out of the air, and South Africa will have to build from inside their own half. An up and under causes chaos, and Rob Evans bursts through and is clean through on the last defender. He has support, but the ball comes too slowly and South Africa scramble back in defence. Now the Boks have been caught miles offside, and this will be another penalty. That could well have been a try, so maybe a penalty was a better option, but this would make it a two-score game again.
69'17-11 Penalty goal - Dan Biggar , Wales
68'Just, just, just inside the left post, and Dan Biggar extends Wales' lead to six points again.
68'Player substituted - Adam Beard , Wales
68'Substitute on - Cory Hill , Wales
67'Wales get a turnover in midfield, and with a penalty advantage, Biggar piles the pressure on the Springboks defence. And they've caved, penalty Wales as South Africa did not release. Big moment, and they'll go for goal.
65'They've been turned over though, and South Africa will have a chance to put some more pressure on their hosts. Fascinating last 15 minutes in store.
65'Substitute on - Francois Louw , South Africa
65'Player substituted - Duane Vermeulen , South Africa
64'Knock on by Kolisi which means Wales will have a scrum just inside the South Africa half. They've been on the back foot for most of the second half, so this is blessed relief for the Welsh.
63'Substitute on - Dan Biggar , Wales
63'Player substituted - Gareth Anscombe , Wales
62'Kick is up. It's good. Boks 11, Wales 14. Game very much on.
62'Anyway, Jantjies will have a look at the posts here. With a six-point deficit, this makes sense.
62'14-11 Penalty goal - Elton Jantjies , South Africa
61'South Africa get a penalty as Wales again fail to release in the breakdown. Alun Wyn Jones gets involved in another dead-ball scrap, Kolisi is now called in as well for a chat with the referee, who gives them their final, final, final warning. Or else, they might get another warning.
60'
59'Wales have responded well to that setback, and only a forward pass prevents them from being in on the South African line. There's another grappling of jerseys and big-man talk at a stoppage in play, the heat of the moment is getting to a fair few people here.
58'Substitute on - Tomos Williams , Wales
58'Player substituted - Gareth Davies , Wales
57'
57'No joy from the conversion though, so Wales hold a two-score lead. Can their defence withstand the pressure?
56'Vermeulen barges towards the line, and that splits the Wales defence - and allows a wonderful pass to be flung out wide to Kriel, who slides over unopposed in the left corner. Willie Le Roux was the man with the quick hands to ship that pass out to Kriel. Fabulous try, and a vital try too.
56'14-8 Try - Jesse Kriel , South Africa
55'Now a telling off for Jesse Kriel for calling for a yellow card, who takes the row then laughs with his mates. Then Alun Wyn Jones is spoken to for collapsing the maul. He's arguing his case, much to the ref's displeasure. All in all, it's another lineout for South Africa from the penalty.
54'Player substituted - Malcolm Marx , South Africa
54'Substitute on - Bongi Mbonambi , South Africa
53'Wales have been turned at the scrum, though, and it's a penalty for South Africa. They need to decide whether it's posts or touch - and they're going for touch. Jantjies launches it deep, deep, deep towards the corner. That's a beaut. That's about a metre from the Wales corner flag, so five-metre lineout for the Boks is upcoming.
53'Substitute on - Dillon Lewis , Wales
53'Player substituted - Tomas Francis , Wales
53'Player substituted - Ken Owens , Wales
53'Substitute on - Elliot Dee , Wales
53'Player substituted - Steven Kitshoff , South Africa
53'Substitute on - Thomas du Toit , South Africa
52'Wales are still deep inside their own 22, but they are recycling cleanly and that allows Gareth Davies to heave a high kick towards the halfway line. And when South Africa try to build an attack, the Welsh forwards descend and stifle the ball. Wonderful work from Ellis Jenkins, who wasn't even supposed to start this game but who is making a strong case to be man of the match.
51'Substitute on - Rob Evans , Wales
51'Player substituted - Nicky Smith , Wales
51'Player substituted - Embrose Papier , South Africa
51'Substitute on - Ivan van Zyl , South Africa
49'South Africa take advantage of Wales being out of position defensively, and when Josh Adams can't quite make the grab cleanly out of the air, Wales are turned over deep inside their own half. And then once South Africa get to within 10 metres of the Wales line, the ball somehow runs loose of the ruck and Wales cover up and clear their lines. Really poor execution near the line from South Africa, though credit to the Wales defence which has been robust throughout the first 50 minutes of this match.
47'
47'Substitute on - Vincent Koch , South Africa
47'Player substituted - Frans Malherbe , South Africa
46'Betterf from South Africa, with good ground made on the right by Kolbe, only for the ball to eventually be thrown out of play on the right when aimed for Du Toit. How do you manage to throw to high for Pieter-Steph du Toit?! That's quite a feat!
46'Player substituted - Damian de Allende , South Africa
46'Substitute on - Elton Jantjies , South Africa
44'South Africa are not making much ground, but then neither are Wales. It's been a stodgy start to this second half, perhaps summed up by Ken Owens lobbing a pass too high for Josh Adams who bumbles it into touch. It's almost as though the huge effort at the end of the first half has left both sides a little spent.
41'We are back in action in Cardiff - Wales kick off, and Pollard punts it straight back to them in their own territory.
41'+414-3 End of first half
40'Halftime analysis from Jamie Braidwood in Cardiff:

"Stirring stuff from Wales so far. They've met the Springboks head on and are bossing the physical battle. The first-half damage was done in a sublime 10-minute spell thanks to tries from Tomas Francis and Liam Williams, one powered over the line thanks to a strong run from Ellis Jenkins, the other wonderfully crafted by Gareth Anscombe. Also, what a half for Aaron Wainwright -- who was called up to the bench in the last minute and has had an enormous contribution so far. There was late drama as Jenkins, somehow, stopped Jesse Kriel from grounding the ball after he crossed the line. The Principality Stadium erupted as the home side kept their opponents at bay."
40'There's a play on despite Wales claims of obstruction by Kolisi. Penalty to Wales! Huge turnover! South Africa failing to release, and failing to capitalise on a late opportunity for points in this first half. That could be a huge moment come the end of this match. Halftime, and Wales hold the advantage.
40'South Africa driving forward but the ball squirts out at the base of the scrum. South Africa going backwards. Wales holding firm defensively.
40'South Africa are still looking for a way through, from the scrum. They've caught Wales offside, so here comes a bit of adventure. No, snaffled very quickly by Wales and back they go for the penalty. Kick or scrum? Scrum it is. Big choice, big moment.
40'14-3 Start of second half
39'TMO review time! It looks as though the Boks have been held up over the line by the narrowest of margins - it's been ruled a no try on the field by the referee, with Damian de Allende spinning his way towards the try line. On-field decision is correct, and they will go back to a scrum five. Right call, in the end.
38'The Springboks win the ball at a lineout and there's a fabulous break from Embrose Papier, he needs only to scoop up his kick ahead and he'll be in for a try... and he knocks on! Scrum Wales, eight metres from their own line, and a massive let-off for the Welsh.
36'Wales get up to 10 phases without making any ground. Strong defending by the Boks is keeping them at arm's length from everything. And now Wales are punished for not releasing, mainly because Malcolm Marx is burrowing away on his feet like a demented ferret. Outstanding work.
34'Vermeulen punished for going in off feet, and gets a nice chat from the referee. "You can't go flying in like that, I'll do the same at your end." Wales now have a lineout inside the South Africa 22, and a chance for perhaps a third try.
30'And he's hit the post! It was always going to be a close one, but it veered left at just the wrong moment and doinks the upright. South Africa tidy up, but have to heave the ball into touch in their own half.
29'A chance for Wales to have a look at the posts for the first time today. Offside against Kitshoff allows Anscombe to call for the kicking tee. He's about 45 metres out, right in front of the posts.
25'There's going to be another look at the posts for Pollard after Wales are forced to go in over the top at the ruck. South Africa are playing a smart tactical game after falling 14-0 behind. They'll stay 14-3 behind though, because Pollard has pulled that effort wide left.
23'We've got an intervention from the referee, who wants a chat with the captains after a scuffle at a dead ball. "You're having a fantastic contest but there's a line so let's not cross it. We'll restart with a scrum and you two [the captains] can calm them down. Ok?"

Yes, sir!
20'
20'He nails it, and South Africa are on the board.
20'14-3 Penalty goal - Handre Pollard , South Africa
19'Penalty for South Africa just inside the Wales half, and Handre Pollard will have a shot at the posts.
18'14-0 Conversion - Gareth Anscombe , Wales
17'A super conversion from out wide, and South Africa have their work cut out already.
16'They are in again. TRY WALES! Brilliant stuff again, this time from the scrum, with smart passing working the ball right and a miss pass beyond North landing perfectly for Liam Williams on the outside. He's had quite a month!
16'12-0 Try - Liam Williams , Wales
14'More excellent running from Wales' forwards, this time it's the substitute Wainwright who makes terrific ground. Wales are 10 metres from the Boks' line. Tipuric also helping gain some ground, before the ball goes dead in a ruck and Wales will have the put-in at the scrum. Great opportunity here for the hosts.
12'Early changes for both sides, RG Snyman forced off for South Africa with Eben Etzebeth replacing him, while Ross Moriarty requires a head injury assessment (much to his displeasure) and he is off for Aaron Wainwright.
12'Player substituted - Ross Moriarty , Wales
12'Substitute on - Aaron Wainwright , Wales
12'Player substituted - RG Snyman , South Africa
12'Substitute on - Eben Etzebeth , South Africa
11'7-0 Conversion - Gareth Anscombe , Wales
10'"Wales, Wales" sings the Cardiff crowd. They're trying to get behind their side, who are in possession in the South Africa 22. Jonathan Davies nearly through on the blindside. Then George North is swallowed up on the right flank. Brilliant work from Jenkins - the late stand-in at flanker - and he offloads to Tomas Francis! TRY WALES! Wow, brilliant work from the two forwards, with Jenkins in particular making a superb dummy and dart before offloading to Francis. Great try.
10'5-0 Try - Tomas Francis , Wales
7'That advantage expires, and now South Africa have their own knock-on advantage. Back they go for that one, after everything gets stymied in midfield. There is a tension to this match, that's for sure, and a mark of respect between the two sides.
6'Wales finally getting some possession in the South African half, having been on the back foot for most of the proceedings so far. Strong defensive line from the Boks, however, and eventually its a deep crossfield kick towards George North that is needed to try and inject some pace. Knock on by South Africa in the ensuing play, and Wales have the advantage.
4'Ooft - very nearly a try for Du Toit, who steps on the whitewash on the left wing before dotting down in the corner. Narrow escape for Wales, and a promising start for South Africa.
2'Not much yet in the early going, a few high balls and a lot of mutual respect clearly between two sides who have had very encouraging years.
1'And we are underway!
1'The anthems are done, and we are nearly ready for kick-off in Cardiff.
1'There are two late changes to the line-ups. Dan Lydiate is out for Wales, replaced by Ellis Jenkins at flanker, while South Africa have lost Sibusiso Nkosi, Cheslin Kolbe will take his spot in the starting XV with Damian Willemse providing cover on the bench.
1'Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of Wales versus South Africa.
1'0-0 Start of first half