Wales player ratings vs South Africa | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

Wales player ratings: Wales were beaten up and left despondent on the Principality turf as they shipped seven tries in their twelfth consecutive defeat. It was the first time since 1937 Wales had failed to win a game.

It was a brutal display by the World Champions who looked completely unflustered throughout as Wales were second best in every aspect. The home side were out thought, out fought and out manoeuvred in a display that showed the clear gulf between the sides.

Time will tell whether Warren Gatland is in charge of Wales in the 2025 Six Nations with a proud Welsh nation at their lowest ebb but this was a visceral reminder of how far their stock has fallen in 12 months.

Here’s how they rated on a tough afternoon in Cardiff.

15. Blair Murray – 6
Brilliant aerial take early on in unfamiliar full-back role but bit in and unable to do anything about Kurt-Lee Arendse stepping him on 20 minutes. Atoned by remarkably holding up Fassi on 27 minutes from two metres out. He was busy and spoilt numerous Springbok attacks.

Fixture

Internationals

Wales

12 - 45

Full-time

South Africa

All Stats and Data

14. Josh Hathaway – 5
Late replacement for Tom Rogers. The Gloucester man hard and contested well in the air but was pinged for taking Fassi out in the air late in the first half. Couldn’t catch the Springbok No 15 as Arendse turned him inside out.

13. Max Llewellyn – 4
Penalised for tackling off the ball after 17 minutes and was invisible in first half. Left field on 56 minutes after making little impression. Will have better days in a Welsh shirt.

12. Ben Thomas – 5
One of Wales’ most creative players, Thomas was unable to show off his repertoire in a first half that passed him by. Moved to fly-half after Costelow departed but had no platform from which to conduct matters, and a kick-pass that was comfortably hoovered up by Hendrikse summed up a frustrating game.

11. Rio Dyer – 6
Dyer had been overlooked in the first two Tests, and started off by being penalised for hitting Jaden Hendrikse in the air but showed his top-end pace and finishing ability to dot down with Chelsin Kolbe trying to turn him on the cusp of half-time. Subdued in the second-half.

10. Sam Costelow – 5
Took a few high balls early on showed his courage in a busy opening period but was isolated near halfway and saw Etzebeth cantering over the line 50m away. Spent 10 minutes off the field after his smart mouthguard was activated but returned to field of play but unable to get Wales on the front foot. Didn’t come out after the break after he failed his HIA. Could not be faulted for effort.

9. Ellis Bevan – 5
Like Argentina, used to loft the ball into the air at set-piece but did little else of note. Needs to trust his running ability and will be better for the experience.

8. Taine Plumtree – 6
Pinged early on for not going through the gate but part of a competitive backrow who did their best to slow up Bok ball, but to no avail. Stripped Snyman with Nicky Smith for key intervention and allow Wales to relieve pressure.

7. Jac Morgan 7
Key turnover after Wilco Louw carry early on. Along with Botham, did well to hold Kolisi up, and tried to put Wales on the front foot with a series of carries in the tight. Made 28 tackles in a bruising 80 minutes and looked out on his feet at the final whistle.

6. James Botham – 7
Gave away a penalty early on for infringing at a maul and part of a joint-effort in stopping Siya Kolisi from scoring. Put his body on the line for another key turnover with South Africa poised to score, and showed his grit by smashing Snyman late on, as part of his 22 tackles. Worked hard on the deck and was probably Wales’ best player. Rewarded with a late, late try.

5. Christ Tshiunza – 6
Tackled himself to a standstill with 20 tackles, and performed a great strip and rip on Jesse Kriel, but still looks lightweight in the Welsh engine room and is not imposing himself on the gainline. At 22, still young and will have better days.

4. Will Rowlands – 5
Unable to make any tight carries of note in a first half where he was overpowered by a Bok front five in a dispiriting afternoon.

3. Archie Griffin – 4
Made eleven tackles before departing on 35 minutes after a day of learnings. Early missed tackle on Mostert in open space and could do little against a monstrous Springbok front featuring his Bath clubmate Thomas du Toit. Still emerged in credit from a chastening Series.

2. Dewi Lake – 6
Tried to get Wales on the front foot by repeatedly making the hard yards in the tight exchanges. Won a key turnover penalty on 36 minutes to give Wales their first meaningful field position but missed his jumper on Springbok 5m line and boldly tried a chip and chase to no avail. Made 18 tackles and looked spent by the time he headed for the showers on 59 minutes.

1. Nicky Smith – 6
Exposed in space, with a missed tackle on Franco Mostert, who hit a great line and part of a Welsh front row that was on the back foot all day. Gave away a few penalties in a day to forget for the experienced loosehead.

16. Ryan Elias – 5
Came on for Lake for the final quarter and his lineout work was tidier than the Australia game.

17. Kemsley Mathias – 5
Entered the fray late on, but had no impact on the game.

18. Kieron Azziratti – 5
Brought on after 35 minutes with Griffin beaten up and in need of a rest and had a rough old time against monster Bok pack.

19. Freddie Thomas – 6
Came on for his Welsh debut against intimidating opponents replacing Taine Plumtree, and put himself about in a busy display.

20. Tommy Reffell – 5
Came on for last 25, replacing Will Rowlands, as Thomas moved into the front row, but couldn’t make any trademark steals.

21. Rhodri Williams – 5
Entered the fray on 56 minutes and sped up Welsh ball. Will have been thrilled to be back in the Welsh set-up after a decade out.

22. Eddie James – 5
Came on after nine minutes for Sam Costelow after his mouthguard went off. Reappeared in the second-half, where he will have learnt what sort of level he needs to reach with Jessie Kriel and Damien de Allende opposite him.

23. Owen Watkin – 5
First intervention saw him flatten Kolbe late on but little chance to influence play.