CARDIFF, WALES – NOVEMBER 29: Siya Kolisi of South Africa lifts the Prince William Cup with the team following their victory during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 rugby international match between Wales and South Africa at Principality Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
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The Springboks concluded 2025 in spectacular fashion with a decisive 73–0 victory over Wales at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium during the 2025 Autumn Nations Series. This overwhelming win redefined what it means to achieve “tour success.”
Their 2025 European tour was not just a series of results; it showcased the depth, versatility, and ruthlessness of the squad. The Boks kicked off in London with a 61–7 thrashing of Japan at Wembley, even in wet and tricky conditions. This match featured nine tries (including a penalty try) and a commanding 26–0 halftime lead. The strong start, boosted by rotated players and fresh talent, highlighted that the team’s strength extends well beyond the usual starting XV.
They carried this momentum to Paris, where, despite being reduced to 14 men after a first-half red card, they maintained their composure and clinical performance. They grinded down their hosts, pulling away with a second-half surge, scoring 19 points to win 32–17. The next challenge was against Italy, where the Boks delivered another strong and controlled performance, securing a 32–14 victory. This reinforced their dominance as not just a product of circumstance but a result of consistent performance.
CARDIFF, WALES – NOVEMBER 29: A view of the Principality stadium ahead the Quilter Nations Series 2025 rugby international match between Wales and South Africa at Principality Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Huw Fairclough/Getty Images)
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In Dublin, the Boks faced significant physical and mental challenges yet still emerged victorious. A 24–13 win over Ireland marked their first success in Dublin under the current coaching regime, illustrating that they can close out tightly contested games under pressure. By this point, with four wins from four matches, the tour had proven to be more than just a warm-up; it was a demonstration of tactical depth, physicality, cohesion, and clutch finishing across varying conditions and player combinations.
Experiments in Selection
Going into the Wales Test, the Boks weren’t simply relying on a settled “best XV.” The context mattered: with several players unavailable (club commitments, rotation, managing workload), the Springboks used the tour not only to consolidate their status, but to experiment. Even with these changes, the squad brought together experience and youth: their forwards carried the kind of power you expect from a world champion pack, while the backs combined agility, speed and finishing ability.
According to the post‑match report, the total Test caps in the starting lineup were 525, with the forwards alone contributing 302 caps.
What this says is: the Boks’ strength isn’t just in a star XV, it’s in the system, the depth, and a culture that allows substitutions and rotation without sacrificing performance. On this tour, every player who pulled on the green‑and‑gold delivered.
The selection experiments paid off, because when the whistle blew in Cardiff, there was no drop in intensity or cohesion, only a crushing display of dominance.
The Cardiff Carnage: 11 Tries, 73 Points, History Written
CARDIFF, WALES – NOVEMBER 29: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu of South Africa scores his team’s ninth try during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 rugby international match between Wales and South Africa at Principality Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
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From the first whistle, the Boks made their intentions clear. They scored 11 unanswered tries, running through a Wales side that toiled under the weight of physical pressure, tactical precision, and superior execution.
By halftime, South Africa led 28–0, and the scoring kept coming. As the second half unfolded, the onslaught never eased. Fly‑half Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu stood out, two tries, nine conversions, a personal haul of 28 points. It was a performance that showcased not only his finishing skills but also his composure under pressure.
Behind him, the forwards laid the foundation. Three of the first four tries came from dominant scrums, illustrating once again that Springbok rugby still begins in the engine room. The likes of Gerhard Steenekamp, Ethan Hooker, Jasper Wiese and Morne van den Berg all crossed the line before half‑time, making the statement early and often. By full‑time, the scoreboard read 73–0, the biggest margin of defeat Wales has ever suffered at home, and the most points conceded at the Principality Stadium.
What the Tour Means for Springbok Rugby in 2026 and Beyond
CARDIFF, WALES – NOVEMBER 29: Siya Kolisi of South Africa waves to the fans following the team’s victory during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 rugby international match between Wales and South Africa at Principality Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
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This tour, for all its polish and dominance, revealed something deeper: a Springboks setup that isn’t reliant on a fixed lineup or a handful of “super‑stars.” Instead, South Africa now seem to thrive on continuity, depth, tactical flexibility and ruthless execution.
Even with players missing, or rotated, the performances remained world‑class. That speaks to a culture and structure of excellence; a high-performance environment where every squad member knows their role, and performs it, whether starting or coming off the bench.
For the rest of the rugby world, that is a warning: the Boks are no longer just a “best XV,” they are a best squad.
And with 2025 closing out as world No.1 once again, they do not just rest on reputation, they build on consistent, repeated proof. During this European tour, they not only achieved victory, but also showcased the true dominance of the Springbok system.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sindiswamabunda/2025/11/29/springboks-overwhelm-wales-730-in-record-setting-finish-to-quilter-nations-series/
