Wales completed a first clean sweep of their November test programme but had to grit their way to a 20-11 victory over South Africa at the Principality Stadium on Saturday for an important pre-World Cup triumph.
It was a ninth successive test win for the Welsh — a feat they have not achieved since 1999 — and a fourth win in a row over the Boks but, more importantly a strong message about their potential for next year’s World Cup.
The Welsh, ranked third in world rugby, scored two early tries to ensure a 14-3 half-time lead as they displayed not only attacking verve but some stoic defence to hold off a dominant Springbok showing in the second half.
Prop Tomas Francis and fullback Liam Williams both crossed the line in the opening 16 minutes for Wales while Jesse Kriel got South Africa’s only try in the second half.