Springboks get season off to winning start in London

The Springboks got their 2024 season off to a winning start at Twickenham in London on Saturday.

As it happened: Springboks vs Wales

The reigning world champion Springboks beat Wales 41-13 after leading 14-13 at half-time.

It was the 42nd meeting between the two nations since the first clash in 1906 – and South Africa’s 34th victory.

The Springboks will next be in action in the first of two Tests against Ireland on Saturday, 6 July at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

The second Test will take place a week later at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban.

More to follow …

SCORERS

South Africa

Tries: Jesse Kriel, Makazole Mapimpi, Bongi Mbonambi, Edwill van der Merwe, penalty try

Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (2), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2)

Penalties: Hendrikse, Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Wales

Try: Dewi Lake

Conversion: Sam Costelow

Penalties: Costelow (2)

TEAMS

South Africa

15 Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), 14 Edwill van der Merwe (Lions), 13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), 12 Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), 11 Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), 10 Jordan Hendrikse (Lions), 9 Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), 8 Evan Roos (Stormers), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain – Toyota Verblitz), 6 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), 5 Franco Mostert (Honda Heat, Japan), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), 3 Vincent Koch (Sharks), 2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), 1 Ox Nche (Sharks)

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks), 18 Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 19 Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), 20 Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), 21 Grant Williams (Sharks), 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), 23 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)

Wales

15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Mason Grady, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Ellis Bevan; 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 James Botham, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Ben Carter, 4 Matthew Screech, 3 Kieron Assiratti, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Gareth Thomas

Substitutes: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 James Ratti, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Eddie James, 23 Jacob Beetham