2014 Wales rugby union tour of South Africa

2014 Wales rugby union tour of South Africa
Coach(es): Warren Gatland
Tour captain(s): Alun Wyn Jones
Top point scorer(s): Dan Biggar (24)
Top try scorer(s): Alex Cuthbert (3)
Top test point scorer(s): Dan Biggar (24)
Top test try scorer(s): Alex Cuthbert (2)
Type P W D L
Total: 3 1 0 2
Test match: 2 0 0 2
Opp. P W D L
 South Africa 2 0 0 2
Statistics against Test match opponents
Previous tour: Japn 2013
Next tour: TBA

In June 2014, Wales toured South Africa, playing a 2-test series against the Springboks.[1] In addition to the two Test matches, Wales also played a warm-up uncapped match against domestic club side Eastern Province Kings.[2] The three matches coincided with the June International Window, playing in the second and third week of the window.

Wales entered the test series on the back of 14 consecutive losses to South Africa; the last time Wales won against South Africa was in June 1999, the only time Wales have beaten South Africa. Wales were on 16 consecutive losses to the Southern Hemisphere greats, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, with the last time they beat a Southern Hemisphere great was in November 2008, and have not won an away match to the Southern Hemisphere greats since 1969.

The 14 consecutive losses to South Africa were extended to 16, while the 16 consecutive losses to the Southern Hemisphere greats were extended to 18 following a 2–0 series defeat. The only win of the tour came in the un-capped match against the Eastern Province Kings, 34–12. During the test series, Wales and South Africa contested the Prince William Cup, which South Africa retained with the series victory. It was the seventh time South Africa won the trophy to Wales' zero.

Fixtures

Date and time Venue Home Score Away
10 June 2014, 19:00 SAST (UTC+02) Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth Eastern Province Kings 12–34  Wales
14 June 2014, 17:00 SAST (UTC+02) Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban South Africa  38–16  Wales
21 June 2014, 15:00 SAST (UTC+02) Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit South Africa  31–30  Wales

Matches

Eastern Province Kings

10 June 2014
19:00 SAST (UTC+02)
Eastern Province Kings South Africa 12–34  Wales
Try: Soyizwapi 56' m
Kerrod 78' c
Con: Whitehead (1/2) 79'
 Report Try: Turnbull 9' c
Allen 14' c
Hook 44' c
Cuthbert 46' m
Davies 61' m
Con: Hook (3/5) 11', 15', 45'
Pen: Hook (1/1) 39'
FB 15Hansie Graaff  71'
RW 14Shakes Soyizwapi
OC 13Ronnie Cooke
IC 12Shane Gates  62'
LW 11Scott van Breda
FH 10George Whitehead
SH 9 Kevin Luiters  53'
N8 8 Paul Schoeman
OF 7 Devin Oosthuizen  55'
BF 6 Thembelani Bholi
RL 5 Cameron Lindsay
LL 4 Darron Nell (c)  73'
TP 3 Charl du Plessis  39'
HK 2 Edgar Marutlulle  71'
LP 1 Lizo Gqoboka  55'
Replacements:
HK 16Albé de Swardt  71'
PR 17BG Uys  55'
PR 18Simon Kerrod  39'
LK 19Steve Cummins  73'
FL 20Stefan Willemse  55'
SH 21Jaco Grobler  53'
CE 22Dwayne Jenner  62'
FH 23Ntabeni Dukisa  71'
Coach:
New Zealand Carlos Spencer
FB 15Matthew Morgan
RW 14Alex Cuthbert  55'
OC 13Cory Allen
IC 12Steven Shingler
LW 11Jordan Williams
FH 10James Hook
SH 9 Rhodri Williams
N8 8 Dan Baker  23'  31'
OF 7 Josh Turnbull
BF 6 Dan Lydiate (c)  58'
RL 5 Ian Evans
LL 4 Jake Ball  63'
TP 3 Rhodri Jones 20' to 30'  55'
HK 2 Scott Baldwin  55'
LP 1 Paul James  55'
Replacements:
HK 16Matthew Rees  55'
PR 17Aaron Jarvis  55'
PR 18Samson Lee  23'  31'  55'
LK 19Luke Charteris  63'
FL 20Aaron Shingler  58'
SH 21Gareth Davies  55'
WG 22George North
FB 23Liam Williams
Coach:
New Zealand Warren Gatland

Touch judges:
Christie du Preez (South Africa)
Rodney Boneparte (South Africa)
Television match official:
Jason Jaftha (South Africa)

Notes:

First test

14 June 2014
17:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  38–16  Wales
Try: Habana (2) 6' c, 20' c
Vermeulen 15' c
Le Roux 37' c
Hendricks 51' c
Con: Steyn (5/5) 7', 17', 21', 38', 52'
Pen: Steyn (1/1) 44'
 Report Try: Cuthbert 68' c
Con: Hook (1/1) 69'
Pen: Biggar (1/1) 40'
Drop: Biggar (2/2) 2', 19'
FB 15Willie le Roux  70'
RW 14Cornal Hendricks
OC 13JP Pietersen
IC 12Jan Serfontein
LW 11Bryan Habana
FH 10Morné Steyn  70'
SH 9 Fourie du Preez
N8 8 Duane Vermeulen
OF 7 Willem Alberts  58'
BF 6 Francois Louw
RL 5 Victor Matfield (c)
LL 4 Bakkies Botha  40'
TP 3 Jannie du Plessis  58'
HK 2 Bismarck du Plessis  70'
LP 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp  44'
Replacements:
HK 16Schalk Brits  70'
PR 17Tendai Mtawarira  44'
PR 18Coenie Oosthuizen  58'
LK 19Lood de Jager  40'
FL 20Schalk Burger  58'
SH 21Ruan Pienaar  73'
FH 22Johan Goosen  70'  73'
WG 23Lwazi Mvovo  70'
Coach:
South Africa Heyneke Meyer
FB 15Liam Williams  55'
RW 14Alex Cuthbert
OC 13Jonathan Davies
IC 12Jamie Roberts 12' to 22'
LW 11George North
FH 10Dan Biggar  64'
SH 9 Mike Phillips  55'
N8 8 Taulupe Faletau
OF 7 Aaron Shingler  55'
BF 6 Dan Lydiate
RL 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c)
LL 4 Luke Charteris  55'
TP 3 Adam Jones  31'
HK 2 Ken Owens  58'
LP 1 Gethin Jenkins  58'
Replacements:
HK 16Matthew Rees  58'
PR 17Paul James  58'
PR 18Samson Lee  31'
LK 19Ian Evans  55'
FL 20Josh Turnbull  55'
SH 21Gareth Davies  55'
FH 22James Hook  64'
FB 23Matthew Morgan  55'
Coach:
New Zealand Warren Gatland

Man of the Match:
Willie le Roux (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Steve Walsh (Australia)
Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official:
Vinny Munro (New Zealand)

Notes:

Second test

21 June 2014
15:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  31–30  Wales
Try: Penalty try (2) 32' c, 77' c
Hendricks 33' c
Le Roux 71' c
Con: Steyn (4/4) 32', 35', 72', 78'
Pen: Steyn (1/2) 55'
 Report Try: Roberts 18' c
Cuthbert 21' c
Owens 45' c
Con: Biggar (3/3) 19', 22', 45'
Pen: Biggar (3/4) 12', 56', 65'
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit [4]
Attendance: 25,424
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
FB 15Willie le Roux
RW 14Cornal Hendricks
OC 13JP Pietersen
IC 12Jan Serfontein  74'
LW 11Bryan Habana
FH 10Morné Steyn 23' to 29'
SH 9 Fourie du Preez
N8 8 Duane Vermeulen
OF 7 Willem Alberts  24'
BF 6 Francois Louw
RL 5 Victor Matfield (c)
LL 4 Flip van der Merwe 57' to 67' 45' to 49'
TP 3 Jannie du Plessis  58'
HK 2 Bismarck du Plessis  65'
LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira  65'
Replacements:
HK 16Schalk Brits  65'
PR 17Gurthrö Steenkamp  65'
PR 18Coenie Oosthuizen  58'
LK 19Lood de Jager  45'  49'
FL 20Schalk Burger  24'
SH 21Ruan Pienaar  23'  29'
CE 22Wynand Olivier  74'
WG 23Lwazi Mvovo
Coach:
South Africa Heyneke Meyer
FB 15Liam Williams
RW 14Alex Cuthbert
OC 13Jonathan Davies
IC 12Jamie Roberts
LW 11George North
FH 10Dan Biggar 32' to 42'
SH 9 Mike Phillips
N8 8 Taulupe Faletau
OF 7 Josh Turnbull
BF 6 Dan Lydiate
RL 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c)
LL 4 Luke Charteris 29' to 39'  74'
TP 3 Samson Lee  51'
HK 2 Ken Owens  74'
LP 1 Gethin Jenkins  74'
Replacements:
HK 16Matthew Rees  74'
PR 17Paul James  74'
PR 18Aaron Jarvis  51'
LK 19Jake Ball  74'
N8 20Dan Baker
SH 21Gareth Davies
FH 22James Hook
FB 23Matthew Morgan
Coach:
New Zealand Warren Gatland

Man of the Match:
Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Romain Poite (France)
Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
Television match official:
Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

Notes:

Squads

Wales

Pre tour, the Welsh Rugby Union announced that on 30 May, a Wales senior trial match would take place at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, the first of its kind in 14 years.[5] It was the final chance to impress the Wales management ahead of the tour to South Africa. The failure of the Welsh regions to qualify for the 2013–14 Pro12 play-offs, meant for many of the players, there would be a five-week gap between the end of the season and the first Test. The teams were announced on 13 May, with the Probables Squad be coached by Rob Howley, and the Possibles Squad being coach by Robin McBryde.[6] However, English based players were not released by the Aviva Premiership clubs as the match fell outside the international window, and the clubs do not have to release players according to the IRB regulations.[7] This meant, the trail teams were made up solely of Welsh based players and French based players released by their clubs.

Trail match

30 May 2014
19:05 BST (UTC+01)
Probables 55–7 Possibles
Try: J. Williams (2) 2' m, 79 c
Biggar 5' c
J. Davies (3) 23' c, 25' c, 46' c
L. Williams 35' m
Baldwin 43' c
Con: Biggar (6/8) 6', 24', 26', 44', 47', 80'
Pen: Biggar (1/1) 12'
 Report Try: G. Davies 60' c
Con: Hook (1/1) 60'
Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Attendance: 20,032
Referee: Neil Hennessy (Wales)

Note: Players in Bold denotes players that are internationally capped.

Touring squad

Head coach Warren Gatland named a 32-man squad following the trail match, for the 2-test series against South Africa.[8] It included 19 players from the Probables squad, 10 players from the Possibles squad and 3 players that did not feature in the Trail match.

Head Coach: New Zealand Warren Gatland

Note: Caps and ages are to pre first test match - 14 June 2014.

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province
Scott Baldwin Hooker 12 July 1988 (aged 25) 1 Wales Ospreys
Ken Owens Hooker 03 January 1987 (aged 27) 24 Wales Scarlets
Matthew Rees Hooker 09 December 1980 (aged 33) 58 Wales Cardiff Blues
Paul James Prop 13 May 1982 (aged 32) 53 England Bath
Aaron Jarvis Prop 20 May 1986 (aged 28) 3 Wales Ospreys
Gethin Jenkins Prop 17 November 1980 (aged 33) 105 Wales Cardiff Blues
Adam Jones Prop 08 March 1981 (aged 33) 94 Wales Ospreys
Rhodri Jones Prop 23 December 1991 (aged 22) 10 Wales Scarlets
Samson Lee Prop 30 November 1992 (aged 21) 3 Wales Scarlets
Jake Ball Lock 21 June 1991 (aged 22) 4 Wales Scarlets
Luke Charteris Lock 09 March 1983 (aged 31) 46 France Perpignan
Ian Evans Lock 04 October 1984 (aged 29) 32 Wales Ospreys
Alun Wyn Jones (c) Lock 19 September 1985 (aged 28) 78 Wales Ospreys
Dan Lydiate Flanker 18 December 1987 (aged 26) 35 France Racing Métro
Aaron Shingler Flanker 07 August 1987 (aged 26) 7 Wales Scarlets
Josh Turnbull Flanker 12 March 1988 (aged 26) 5 Wales Scarlets
Dan Baker Number 8 05 July 1992 (aged 21) 2 Wales Ospreys
Taulupe Faletau Number 8 12 November 1990 (aged 23) 34 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Gareth Davies Scrum-half 18 August 1990 (aged 23) 0 Wales Scarlets
Mike Phillips Scrum-half 29 August 1982 (aged 31) 85 France Racing Métro
Rhodri Williams Scrum-half 05 May 1993 (aged 21) 3 Wales Scarlets
Dan Biggar Fly-half 16 October 1989 (aged 24) 23 Wales Ospreys
James Hook Fly-half 27 June 1985 (aged 28) 75 France Perpignan
Cory Allen Centre 11 February 1993 (aged 21) 1 Wales Cardiff Blues
Jonathan Davies Centre 05 April 1988 (aged 26) 39 Wales Scarlets
Jamie Roberts Centre 08 November 1986 (aged 27) 58 France Racing Métro
Steven Shingler Centre 20 June 1991 (aged 22) 0 Wales Scarlets
Alex Cuthbert Wing 05 April 1990 (aged 24) 24 Wales Cardiff Blues
George North Wing 13 April 1992 (aged 22) 40 England Northampton Saints
Jordan Williams Wing 20 September 1993 (aged 20) 0 Wales Scarlets
Matthew Morgan Fullback 23 April 1991 (aged 23) 0 Wales Ospreys
Liam Williams Fullback 09 April 1991 (aged 23) 12 Wales Scarlets

South Africa

On 31 May, coach Heyneke Meyer named a 36-man squad for the 2-test series against Wales, and the single test match against Scotland, plus the uncapped match against a World XV side.[9]

On 2 June, Damian de Allende was withdrawn from the squad due to injury. He was replaced by Marnitz Boshoff.[10]

On 8 June, Trevor Nyakane was added to the squad to provide further cover in his respective position.[11]

Head Coach: South Africa Heyneke Meyer

Note: Caps and ages are to pre first test match - 14 June 2014.

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province
Schalk Brits Hooker 16 May 1981 (aged 33) 5 England Saracens
Bismarck du Plessis ‡ Hooker 22 May 1984 (aged 30) 57 South Africa Sharks
Callie Visagie Hooker 09 July 1988 (aged 25) 0 South Africa Bulls
Jannie du Plessis ‡ Prop 16 November 1982 (aged 31) 51 South Africa Sharks
Tendai Mtawarira ‡ Prop 01 August 1985 (aged 28) 53 South Africa Sharks
Trevor Nyakane Prop 04 May 1989 (aged 25) 3 South Africa Cheetahs
Coenie Oosthuizen ‡ Prop 22 March 1989 (aged 25) 14 South Africa Cheetahs
Gurthrö Steenkamp Prop 12 June 1981 (aged 33) 49 France Toulouse
Marcel van der Merwe Prop 24 October 1990 (aged 23) 0 South Africa Bulls
Bakkies Botha Lock 22 September 1979 (aged 34) 78 France Toulon
Lood de Jager Lock 17 December 1992 (aged 21) 0 South Africa Cheetahs
Victor Matfield (c) Lock 11 May 1977 (aged 37) 110 South Africa Bulls
Flip van der Merwe ‡ Lock 06 June 1985 (aged 29) 34 South Africa Bulls
Willem Alberts ‡ Flanker 11 May 1984 (aged 30) 30 South Africa Sharks
Schalk Burger Flanker 13 April 1983 (aged 31) 68 South Africa Stormers
Marcell Coetzee ‡ Flanker 08 May 1991 (aged 23) 15 South Africa Sharks
Siya Kolisi ‡ Flanker 16 June 1991 (aged 22) 10 South Africa Stormers
Francois Louw Flanker 15 June 1985 (aged 28) 28 England Bath
Oupa Mohojé Flanker 03 August 1990 (aged 23) 0 South Africa Cheetahs
Duane Vermeulen ‡ Number 8 03 July 1986 (aged 27) 16 South Africa Stormers
Fourie du Preez Scrum-half 24 March 1982 (aged 32) 67 Japan Suntory Sungoliath
Francois Hougaard ‡ Scrum-half 06 April 1988 (aged 26) 27 South Africa Bulls
Ruan Pienaar Scrum-half 10 March 1984 (aged 30) 74 Ireland Ulster
Marnitz Boshoff Fly-half 11 January 1989 (aged 25) 0 South Africa Lions
Johan Goosen Fly-half 27 July 1992 (aged 21) 4 South Africa Cheetahs
François Steyn ‡ Fly-half 14 May 1987 (aged 27) 53 South Africa Sharks
Morné Steyn Fly-half 11 July 1984 (aged 29) 54 France Stade Français
Damian de Allende Centre 25 November 1991 (aged 22) 0 South Africa Stormers
Juan de Jongh Centre 15 April 1988 (aged 26) 14 South Africa Stormers
JJ Engelbrecht ‡ Centre 22 February 1989 (aged 25) 12 South Africa Bulls
Jan Serfontein Centre 15 April 1993 (aged 21) 9 South Africa Bulls
Bryan Habana Wing 12 June 1983 (aged 31) 95 France Toulon
Cornal Hendricks Wing 18 April 1988 (aged 26) 0 South Africa Cheetahs
Lwazi Mvovo Wing 03 June 1986 (aged 28) 7 South Africa Sharks
JP Pietersen Wing 12 July 1986 (aged 27) 51 South Africa Sharks
S'bura Sithole Wing 14 June 1990 (aged 24) 0 South Africa Sharks
Zane Kirchner Fullback 16 June 1984 (aged 29) 28 Ireland Leinster
Willie le Roux ‡ Fullback 18 August 1989 (aged 24) 12 South Africa Cheetahs

The following players were considered for selection, but not chosen due to injury or suspension.

Player Position Date of Birth (Age) Caps Club/province
Adriaan Strauss ‡ Hooker 18 November 1985 (aged 28) 33 South Africa Cheetahs
Eben Etzebeth ‡ Lock 29 October 1991 (aged 22) 23 South Africa Stormers
Juan Smith Flanker 30 July 1981 (aged 32) 69 France Toulon
Pat Lambie ‡ Fly-half 17 October 1990 (aged 23) 32 South Africa Sharks
Jaque Fourie Centre 04 March 1983 (aged 31) 72 Japan Kobelco Steelers
Jean de Villiers ‡ Centre 24 February 1981 (aged 33) 96 South Africa Stormers

Note: ‡ denotes players who are centrally contracted to the South African Rugby Union.

South African warm-up match

On 7 June, South Africa played an uncapped warm-up match against a World XV in Cape Town, in the lead up to the Welsh series.

7 June 2014
17:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  47–13 World XV
Try: Habana 16' m
Botha 32' c
B. Du Plessis (2) 48' m, 58' c
Goosen 77' c
Le Roux 79' c
Con: M. Steyn (2/4) 33', 59'
Goosen (2/2) 78', 79'
Pen: M. Steyn (3/3) 16', 30', 44'
 Report Try: Hargreaves 5' c
Con: O'Connor (1/1) 5'
Pen: O'Connor (2/2) 23', 40'
Newlands, Cape Town [4]
Attendance: 31,500
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

Statistics

Key

Tour statistics

Name Non-Test Test Overall Cards
PlayedTriesConPenDGPts PlayedTriesConPenDGPts PlayedTriesConPenDGPts
Dan Biggar–––––0203422420342241
James Hook11310141010022141016–
Alex Cuthbert11000522000103300015–
Josh Turnbull110005200000310005–
Gareth Davies110005100000210005–
Ken Owens–––––0210005210005–
Jamie Roberts–––––0210005210005–
Cory Allen110005–––––0110005–
Luke Charteris1000002000003000001
Paul James100000200000300000–
Samson Lee100000200000300000–
Dan Lydiate100000200000300000–
Matthew Rees100000200000300000–
Jake Ball100000100000200000–
Jonathan Davies–––––0200000200000–
Ian Evans100000100000200000–
Taulupe Faletau–––––0200000200000–
Aaron Jarvis100000100000200000–
Gethin Jenkins–––––0200000200000–
Alun Wyn Jones–––––0200000200000–
George North–––––0200000200000–
Matthew Morgan100000100000200000–
Mike Phillips–––––0200000200000–
Aaron Shingler100000100000200000–
Liam Williams–––––0200000200000–
Dan Baker100000–––––0100000–
Scott Baldwin100000–––––0100000–
Adam Jones–––––0100000100000–
Rhodri Jones100000–––––0100000–
Steven Shingler100000–––––0100000–
Jordan Williams100000–––––0100000–
Rhodri Williams100000–––––0100000–

Test series statistics

Name Team Tries Con Pen DG Pts
Dan Biggar Wales034224
Morné Steyn South Africa092024
Alex Cuthbert Wales200010
Bryan Habana South Africa200010
Cornal Hendricks South Africa200010
Willie le Roux South Africa200010
Penalty try South Africa200010
Ken Owens Wales10005
Jamie Roberts Wales10005
Duane Vermeulen South Africa10005
James Hook Wales01002

References

  1. ↑ Wales set to tour South Africa in 2014
  2. ↑ Wales to face Eastern Province Kings
  3. ↑ "Wales to face Eastern Province Kings" (Press release). Wales RFU. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Busy year ahead for Springboks". ESPN Scrum. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  5. ↑ WRU confirm Wales senior trial match ahead of South Africa tour
  6. ↑ Gavin Henson named in Wales Probables squad for trial
  7. ↑ English clubs block Wales players from trial match
  8. ↑ Gatland names 32-man squad for South Africa
  9. ↑ "Seven uncapped players in Springbok squad". South African Rugby Union. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "Springboks suffer De Allende injury setback". South African Rugby Union. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  11. ↑ Trevor Nyakane added to Springbok squad