South Africa were out of sight within fifteen minutes as Wales fought to hold back the onslaught at the Loftus Stadium. Arwel Thomas was the shining light for Wales, scoring all of his country’s points including a try, conversion and two penalties.
By contrast, South Africa were keen to spread the spoils more evenly around the team and by the time the second half barrage of tries from continual catching and recycling was finished the Springboks were fifteen tries to the good.
Andre Venter, Johan Erasmus, Krynauw Otto, Joost Vander Westhuizen and Franco Smith waded in with a try each, Stefan Terblanche waded in with a brace and Pieter Roussow managed a hat-trick. Perhaps the most telling contribution came from Percy Montgomery who produced a brace, nine conversion and one penalty.
Only a late knock-on spared Wales the blushes of defcit past the 100 points mark and Welsh rugby reverted to the drawing board with the Springboks’ trip to play Wales at Wembley only six months away.
