South Africa and Wales renew acquaintances in Durban on Saturday, bringing with them starkly different memories of their most recent encounters. The fixture marks the third round of the Nations Championship and pits the world champions against a Wales side still searching for form.
The Springboks hold a commanding 36–7 record in the fixture since the sides first met in 1906, with one draw. Yet Wales' sole victory on South African soil—a 13–12 triumph in Bloemfontein in June 2022—remains a talking point this week. Five members of the current Bok squad featured that day: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Evan Roos, Aphelele Fassi, Jesse Kriel and Kurt-Lee Arendse. For Wales, captain Dewi Lake, Josh Adams, Adam Beard, Dillon Lewis, Gareth Thomas and Louis Rees-Zammit all retain fond memories of the upset.
That Bloemfontein encounter saw then-coach Jacques Nienaber field a heavily rotated side, with several debutants and fringe players in the starting XV. The result handed Wales a rare scalp on the highveld and provided a brief respite in what has since become a difficult period for the visitors.
Last November's meeting in Cardiff offered a brutal counterpoint. South Africa ran in 11 tries to record a 73–0 victory, Wales' heaviest home defeat and an unwanted record for the Principality Stadium. The margin underscored the gulf that has opened between the sides in recent years, particularly when the Springboks field their first-choice personnel.
Saturday's clash at Kings Park will test whether Wales can summon the resilience of Bloemfontein or whether the Cardiff humiliation proves a more accurate barometer. For South Africa, the fixture offers another opportunity to build momentum in the Nations Championship, with the world champions seeking a third consecutive victory in the competition.