Wales 12-45 South Africa – Autumn Nations Series result as Springboks run over seven tries in commanding Cardiff display

Wales skipper Dewi Lake says his side ‘showed a lot of heart’ but their discipline cost them in their defeat to South Africa.

“It was probably our biggest test physically, they are double world champions for a reason,

“I think we showed a lot of heart and character is parts of that game. Discipline in areas has cost us again, they are a dangerous team when they get into that 22.”

South Africa ran over seven tries during a 12-45 demolition of Wales as the World Cup winners leave the Autumn Nations Series with a perfect record.

Tries from Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Elrigh Louw, Aphelele Fassi, Gerhard Steenekamp and Jordan Hendrikse saw the Springboks run out winners by 33 points.

The Springboks dominated from the opening minutes with attack after attack resulting in Mostert and Etzebeth both scoring.

Etzebeth could be crowned World Player of the Year but was taken off with 29 minutes gone, not before Anderson had ran over a third try.

The opening three tries were courtesy of quick passing, but the Springboks showed their power with a fourth as Louw surged over.

Wales had rare attacks into their opponents’ 22-metre line and gave the Principality Stadium something to cheer as Rio Dyer scored their first points seconds before the break.

South Africa made a host of changes after the break but added to their tally with clever play resulting in Fassi and Steenekamp adding a fifth and six try respectively.

Springbok fly-half Hendrikse finished his side’s scoring with a seventh score as the visitors leave the Northern hemisphere undefeated.

Wales would have the final say and were rewarded for their pressure as James Botham went over for his side’s second score a minute before full-time.

That’s the final play.

Wales will have a lot to access after that performance when they were played off the park for large periods of time.

South Africa were not even at their best.

Wales are rewarded for their efforts.

Drive after drive is held up by their visitors until Botham finds his way through a pack of bodies to ground the ball. The try is converted.

It’s a seventh try for South Africa grounded by Hendrikse.

It’s Pollard who charges through the Wales line before finding Reinach and then releasing Hendrikse.

Hendrikse also converts his own try.

A first appearance for in this Autumn Nations series for Mathias who is on for Smith

With tired bodies for both sides referee Karl Dickson is being kept busy heading into his final 10 minutes.

He gives the Wales skipper a talking to asking them to improve at the scrum.

A penalty allows the hosts to kick to touch and put pressure on South Africa.

The line-out is good before the Springboks try and break from their own try-line. However, Kolisi is thrown into touch by Hathaway.

The power, strength and fresh legs of South Africa eventually pay.

The ball is played out of the scrum and then driven forward. It is replacement Steenekamp who scores his side’s sixth try.

Hendrikse converts

Lake comes off for Elias for Wales.

Meanwhile, the Springboks make a double change with Hendrikse off for Reinach and Wiese off for van Staden

The green and gold side are battering the hosts inside their 22 with drive after drive as they look to further their advantage.

Wales have made 178 tackles so far in this match.

Wales are throwing on some fresh legs.

Rowlands off for Reffell; Bevan off for Williams; Llewellyn off for Watkin

South Africa score a fifth try after the ball is played out to Arendse who draws in defenders with a surging run and allows Fassi to go over.

The conversion is missed.

Double World Cup winner Pollard comes off the bench for South Africa and de Allende is off.

That comes as a Wales line-out error allows South Africa to ease pressure.

The visitors seem to have taken their foot of the gas.

An infringement gives Wales a penalty and the hosts kick to touch in each of a second try.

The youngster comes on to replace Plumtree

It’s a trio of forwards changed for the Springboks

Marx, Steenekamp, Koch on for Du Toit, Grobbelaar, Louw,

The Welsh forwards manage to repel more Springboks pressure as Smith makes a huge tackle and then kicks his side up the pitch.

A debut for 22-year-old Hanekom who comes on for Louw. He’s their 12th debutant this season and 50th plater used by the world champions.

We are back underway in Cardiff.

A tiring Welsh defence could be punished by a talented South Africa bench.