Wales have been handed their most painful and heaviest defeat ever on home soil, crushed 73-0 by a ruthless South Africa side at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The match, played on Saturday 29 November 2025, saw the Springboks run in a staggering 11 tries against a severely under-strength Welsh team, setting a new and unwanted record for the hosts.
Dominant Boks Run Riot in Cardiff
The Welsh defence had no answer for the relentless South African attack. The visitors' dominance was epitomised by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who amassed a personal tally of 28 points through a combination of tries, conversions, and penalties.
Wales were hamstrung from the start, forced to field a weakened side because the fixture fell outside of World Rugby's official Test window. This scheduling conflict made 13 of their key first-team players unavailable for selection, leaving a significant experience gap that the world-class Springboks exploited mercilessly.
Etzebeth's Ugly Red Card Mars Victory
South Africa's comprehensive victory was, however, tarnished by a moment of ill-discipline in the latter stages. Replacement forward Eben Etzebeth was shown a red card for making contact with the eye area of Welsh player Alex Mann, an act known as gouging.
This serious foul play offence will likely lead to a significant ban for the veteran lock, casting a shadow over an otherwise flawless team performance from the visitors.
Fallout and Questions for Welsh Rugby
This historic loss marks the second time in 2025 that Wales have failed to score a single point in a match, having been 'nilled' on a previous occasion.
The devastating result immediately raises serious questions for the Welsh Rugby Union and its decision-making. The choice to schedule such a demanding fixture outside the international window, thereby depriving the team of its top stars, is now under intense scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
This record defeat in Cardiff will undoubtedly prompt a period of difficult reflection on the future direction and planning of the national team.
