Summary

  • Wales thump South Africa in Cardiff in WXV Global Series opener

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  • Wales end nine-game Test losing streak in spectacular fashion

  • Courtney Keight and Sisilia Tuipulotu score early Wales tries before Felicia Jacobs responds

  • Seren Lockwood scores third Welsh try inside opening quarter as South Africa's Lindelwa Gwala is yellow-carded, then Maisie Davies crosses for another Welsh try

  • Kelsey Jones and Lisa Neumann also go over in first half, with Danelle Lochner the second South Africa player shown yellow as Wales lead 38-5 at break

  • Lochner's yellow, for a high tackle on Kate Williams, upgraded to 20-minute red card at half-time

  • Tuipulotu powers over for her second try early in second period before Springboks rally with tries from Maria Tshiremba and Maceala Samboya

  • Alex Callender crosses to seal memorable win as Wales reach 50 points

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  1. 'Clean slate for Wales'published at 19:08 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    Dyddgu Morgan-Hywel
    Former Wales full-back on BBC One Wales

    South Africa have shown what is possible in a short space of time, and Wales should take motivation from that. This is a clean slate and a chance to build. It’s a big game for Wales.

  2. 'Wales need to move the ball quickly'published at 19:06 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    Siwan Lillicrap
    Former Wales captain on BBC One Wales

    South Africa are a great, developing side. Because of that, you probably can’t look at past results when Wales were dominant.

    The Springboks will be powerful up front. Wales need to move the ball quickly and stretch the power game of South Africa.

  3. Back-row dynamismpublished at 19:03 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    Bryonie King runs with the ball for Wales against the BarbariansImage source, Huw

    The back row is an area of serious strength for Wales and they start tonight with number eight Bryonie King and co-captains Kate Williams and Alex Callender.

    Harlequins forward Callender made an impressive return to the international stage against the Barbarians after injury misfortune, while Williams is back after a leg injury suffered in the second round of the Six Nations.

    King was player of the match against the Baa-Baas after constantly getting Wales on the front foot.

    "We've seen the amount of line breaks and metres she's made but her defensive work impresses as well," said Siwan Lillicrap after that game. "She's only 22 and could be world class."

    Wales' strength in this department no doubt influenced the decision to go with six forwards on the bench, with the energy of Jorja Aiono and Alisha Joyce to come on.

  4. Flashback to 2021published at 19:02 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    Carys Phillips celebrates scoring for Wales against South AfricaImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Wales entertained South Africa at Cardiff Arms Park in November 2021 and ran out convincing 29-19 winners.

    Hooker Carys Phillips went over for a hat-trick on her first international start for two years while scrum-half Ffion Lewis also went over.

    South Africa showed spirit with late scores by Nomawethu Mabenge, Zintle Mpupha and Libbie Janse van Rensburg.

    It was a more comfortable victory for Wales than the scoreboard suggested. What they'd give for a repeat tonight.

  5. Wales' tough testspublished at 19:00 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    Wales will take on three sides who are above them in World Rugby's rankings in the coming weeks.

    Sean Lynn's Wales team are currently 13th, although they will climb at least one place if they win tonight regardless of how Fiji fare against Hong Kong China in the WXV Global Series Challenger.

    South Africa would reach a new high of ninth if they win by more than 15 points and Italy lose to Japan by the same margin.

    World rankings

    1. England
    2. New Zealand
    3. Canada
    4. France
    5. Ireland
    6. Italy
    7. Scotland
    8. USA
    9. Australia
    10. South Africa
    11. Japan
    12. Fiji
    13. Wales
    14. Spain
    15. Netherlands
  6. 'A fascinating test of where Wales are'published at 18:58 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    Gareth Rhys Owen
    BBC One Wales commentator

    Wales in a huddle at trainingImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    This is an important block for Wales. They have four matches which all feel potentially winnable, but equally none in which victory can be taken for granted.

    It gives them an opportunity to change the mood, their fortunes and, perhaps most importantly, the narrative around this team.

    South Africa make for a particularly interesting first test. They are relative newcomers to the international game and even went four years without playing a Test between 2014 and 2018.

    With the playing population and sporting culture available to them, they have the potential to become a major force in women's rugby.

    For now, though, they remain a developing side rather than a dominant one.

    That makes this a fascinating test of where Wales are right now - and potentially where they are heading.

  7. Smaller balls on trialpublished at 18:56 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    A controversial experiment in the WXV Global Series is the introduction of a smaller ball.

    World Rugby is trialling a size 4.5 ball, which is about 3% smaller than the size five used in the men's game (and typically used in the women's game), but the same weight.

    Media caption,

    Smaller balls for WXV have 'changed the game' - Neumann

  8. What is the WXV Global Series?published at 18:54 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    The WXV Global Series got under way last weekend but this is a first taste of the revamped tournament for Wales and South Africa.

    Replacing the three-tier WXV, this competition runs from 2026 to 2028 and features the top 12 teams in the world, ensuring more competitive matches are played going into the 2029 World Cup in Australia.

    National federations and unions choose their own home and away fixtures, which are played in September and October.

    Unlike the men's Nations Championship, the new WXV Global Series doesn't have a trophy or table attached to it - it is just about Test matches.

    Wales' upcoming fixtures

    • 18 September - South Africa (Cardiff Arms Park)
    • 26 September - United States (Cardiff Arms Park)
    • 24 October - Japan (Tokyo)
    • 31 October - Japan (Kumagaya)
  9. Williams rewardedpublished at 18:51 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    Wales wing Amy WilliamsImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Sean Lynn gave youth a chance when Wales took on the Baa-Baas at Twickenham and Amy Williams certainly grasped her opportunity when lining up against New Zealand superstar Ruby Tui.

    The wing's display in that uncapped fixture demanded inclusion in this Test.

    Williams showed serious pace to go over for her first try and her second on the stroke of half-time was remarkable.

    The Brython Thunder wing powered through Alex Tissier, the Baa-Baas centre who captained Canada in the World Cup final at Twickenham.

    "Amy looked threatening with ball in hand. She is like a sponge, she just wants to learn and take everything on board," said Lynn after Wales' win.

    "What I love about Amy is that she just said before the game 'I am just going to concentrate on being me, Lynny'. That's what she did and she has a bright future."

    Tonight should be the first cap of many for Williams, who gets the nod ahead of Jasmine Joyce.

  10. Have your saypublished at 18:49 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    We want to hear your thoughts throughout the evening, so get involved before, during and after the game by clicking on the yellow button on this page.

  11. Springboks tinker with teampublished at 18:47 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    Maria Tshiremba runs in a try for South Africa sevensImage source, Rex Features

    South Africa played New Zealand a fortnight ago and were beaten 52-20 in Johannesburg.

    They make four changes to the starting line-up with number eight Logan Welman, scrum-half Felicia Jacobs, outside centre Maceala Samboya and wing Maria Tshiremba (pictured above) coming in.

    Like Wales, South Africa opt for six forwards on their bench.

    South Africa: Dolf; Tshiremba, Samboya, Ngwevu, Malinga; Van Rensburg, Felicia Jacobs; Charlie, Gwala, Latsha, Ubisi, Lochner, Solontsi, Catha Jacobs, Welman.

    Replacements: Gunter, Khuzwayo, Mdliki, Mokwai, Hele, Noxeke, Cilliers, Mokone.

  12. Lynn makes big call at 10published at 18:46 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    Keira Bevan runs with the ball for WalesImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Wales have struggled at fly-half but are blessed with options at scrum-half, which leads to Keira Bevan having a crack at 10 tonight.

    The 29-year-old's half-back partner is Seren Lockwood, who is fresh from winning the Welsh Rugby Writers' Association young player of the year award.

    Sean Lynn includes three uncapped players with Amy Williams rewarded for an impressive two-try display against the Barbarians with a start on the wing.

    Front row forwards Elan Jones and Shanelle Williams are set to win first caps from the bench.

    Wales: Neumann; Singleton, Keight, Bell, A Williams; Bevan, Lockwood; Davies, K Jones, Tuipulotu, B Metcalfe, Evans, K Williams (co-capt), Callender (co-capt), King.

    Replacements: S Williams, G Pyrs, E Jones, Crabb, Aiono, A Joyce, George, De Vera.

  13. Welcome to Cardiffpublished at 18:45 BST 18 September

    Wales v South Africa (19:15 BST)

    Cardiff Arms Park ahead of Wales v South AfricaImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Good evening from Cardiff Arms Park, where Wales hope to start their WXV campaign with a win against South Africa.

    Sean Lynn's side are on a nine-Test losing streak but did enjoy a morale-boosting victory in an uncapped friendly against the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium in June.

    They face a South Africa side who were beaten 52-20 by New Zealand a fortnight ago.

    Wales will hope to repeat their 2021 victory against the Springbok Women at this ground.

    Let's start by having a look at the teams.