2014 Wales rugby union tour of South Africa

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.

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)
Summary
P W D L
Total
03 01 00 02
Test match
02 00 00 02
Opponent
P W D L
 South Africa
2 0 0 2
Tour chronology
Previous tourJapan 2013
Next tourNew Zealand 2016

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 12–34  Wales
Try: Soyizwapi 56' m
Kerrod 78' c
Con: Whitehead (1/2) 79'
 Report[3] 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'
FB15Hansie Graaff 71'
RW14Siviwe Soyizwapi
OC13Ronnie Cooke
IC12Shane Gates 62'
LW11Scott van Breda
FH10George Whitehead
SH9Kevin Luiters 53'
N88Paul Schoeman
OF7Devin Oosthuizen 55'
BF6Thembelani Bholi
RL5Cameron Lindsay
LL4Darron Nell (c) 73'
TP3Charl du Plessis 39'
HK2Edgar Marutlulle 71'
LP1Lizo Gqoboka 55'
Replacements:
HK16Albé de Swardt 71'
PR17BG Uys 55'
PR18Simon Kerrod 39'
LK19Steve Cummins 73'
FL20Stefan Willemse 55'
SH21Jaco Grobler 53'
CE22Dwayne Jenner 62'
FH23Ntabeni Dukisa 71'
Coach:
Carlos Spencer
FB15Matthew Morgan
RW14Alex Cuthbert 55'
OC13Cory Allen
IC12Steven Shingler
LW11Jordan Williams
FH10James Hook
SH9Rhodri Williams
N88Dan Baker 23' 31'
OF7Josh Turnbull
BF6Dan Lydiate (c) 58'
RL5Ian Evans
LL4Jake Ball 63'
TP3Rhodri Jones 20' to 30' 55'
HK2Scott Baldwin 55'
LP1Paul James 55'
Replacements:
HK16Matthew Rees 55'
PR17Aaron Jarvis 55'
PR18Samson Lee 23' 31' 55'
LK19Luke Charteris 63'
FL20Aaron Shingler 58'
SH21Gareth Davies 55'
WG22George North
FB23Liam Williams
Coach:
Warren Gatland

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

Notes:

  • George North was ruled out of the match, as he was still suffering from a virus hours before kick-off. No other player replaced him in the match-day 23.

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[5] Try: Cuthbert 68' c
Con: Hook (1/1) 69'
Pen: Biggar (1/1) 40'
Drop: Biggar (2/2) 2', 19'
FB15Willie le Roux 70'
RW14Cornal Hendricks
OC13JP Pietersen
IC12Jan Serfontein
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Morné Steyn 70'
SH9Fourie du Preez
N88Duane Vermeulen
OF7Willem Alberts 58'
BF6Francois Louw
RL5Victor Matfield (c)
LL4Bakkies Botha 40'
TP3Jannie du Plessis 58'
HK2Bismarck du Plessis 70'
LP1Gurthrö Steenkamp 44'
Replacements:
HK16Schalk Brits 70'
PR17Tendai Mtawarira 44'
PR18Coenie Oosthuizen 58'
LK19Lood de Jager 40'
FL20Schalk Burger 58'
SH21Ruan Pienaar 73'
FH22Johan Goosen 70' 73'
WG23Lwazi Mvovo 70'
Coach:
Heyneke Meyer
FB15Liam Williams 55'
RW14Alex Cuthbert
OC13Jonathan Davies
IC12Jamie Roberts 12' to 22'
LW11George North
FH10Dan Biggar 64'
SH9Mike Phillips 55'
N88Taulupe Faletau
OF7Aaron Shingler 55'
BF6Dan Lydiate
RL5Alun Wyn Jones (c)
LL4Luke Charteris 55'
TP3Adam Jones 31'
HK2Ken Owens 58'
LP1Gethin Jenkins 58'
Replacements:
HK16Matthew Rees 58'
PR17Paul James 58'
PR18Samson Lee 31'
LK19Ian Evans 55'
FL20Josh Turnbull 55'
SH21Gareth Davies 55'
FH22James Hook 64'
FB23Matthew Morgan 55'
Coach:
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[7] 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 [6]
Attendance: 25,424
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
FB15Willie le Roux
RW14Cornal Hendricks
OC13JP Pietersen
IC12Jan Serfontein 74'
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Morné Steyn 23' to 29'
SH9Fourie du Preez
N88Duane Vermeulen
OF7Willem Alberts 24'
BF6Francois Louw
RL5Victor Matfield (c)
LL4Flip van der Merwe 57' to 67' 45' to 49'
TP3Jannie du Plessis 58'
HK2Bismarck du Plessis 65'
LP1Tendai Mtawarira 65'
Replacements:
HK16Schalk Brits 65'
PR17Gurthrö Steenkamp 65'
PR18Coenie Oosthuizen 58'
LK19Lood de Jager 45' 49'
FL20Schalk Burger 24'
SH21Ruan Pienaar 23' 29'
CE22Wynand Olivier 74'
WG23Lwazi Mvovo
Coach:
Heyneke Meyer
FB15Liam Williams
RW14Alex Cuthbert
OC13Jonathan Davies
IC12Jamie Roberts
LW11George North
FH10Dan Biggar 32' to 42'
SH9Mike Phillips
N88Taulupe Faletau
OF7Josh Turnbull
BF6Dan Lydiate
RL5Alun Wyn Jones (c)
LL4Luke Charteris 29' to 39' 74'
TP3Samson Lee 51'
HK2Ken Owens 74'
LP1Gethin Jenkins 74'
Replacements:
HK16Matthew Rees 74'
PR17Paul James 74'
PR18Aaron Jarvis 51'
LK19Jake Ball 74'
N820Dan Baker
SH21Gareth Davies
FH22James Hook
FB23Matthew Morgan
Coach:
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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] 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[11] 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 trial match, for the 2-test series against South Africa.[12] It included 19 players from the Probables squad, 10 players from the Possibles squad and 3 players that did not feature in the trial match.

Head Coach: 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 (1988-07-12)12 July 1988 (aged 25) 1 Ospreys
Ken Owens Hooker (1987-01-03)3 January 1987 (aged 27) 24 Scarlets
Matthew Rees Hooker (1980-12-09)9 December 1980 (aged 33) 58 Cardiff Blues
Paul James Prop (1982-05-13)13 May 1982 (aged 32) 53 Bath
Aaron Jarvis Prop (1986-05-20)20 May 1986 (aged 28) 3 Ospreys
Gethin Jenkins Prop (1980-11-17)17 November 1980 (aged 33) 105 Cardiff Blues
Adam Jones Prop (1981-03-08)8 March 1981 (aged 33) 94 Ospreys
Rhodri Jones Prop (1991-12-23)23 December 1991 (aged 22) 10 Scarlets
Samson Lee Prop (1992-11-30)30 November 1992 (aged 21) 3 Scarlets
Jake Ball Lock (1991-06-21)21 June 1991 (aged 22) 4 Scarlets
Luke Charteris Lock (1983-03-09)9 March 1983 (aged 31) 46 Perpignan
Ian Evans Lock (1984-10-04)4 October 1984 (aged 29) 32 Ospreys
Alun Wyn Jones (c) Lock (1985-09-19)19 September 1985 (aged 28) 78 Ospreys
Dan Lydiate Flanker (1987-12-18)18 December 1987 (aged 26) 35 Racing Métro
Aaron Shingler Flanker (1987-08-07)7 August 1987 (aged 26) 7 Scarlets
Josh Turnbull Flanker (1988-03-12)12 March 1988 (aged 26) 5 Scarlets
Dan Baker Number 8 (1992-07-05)5 July 1992 (aged 21) 2 Ospreys
Taulupe Faletau Number 8 (1990-11-12)12 November 1990 (aged 23) 34 Newport Gwent Dragons
Gareth Davies Scrum-half (1990-08-18)18 August 1990 (aged 23) 0 Scarlets
Mike Phillips Scrum-half (1982-08-29)29 August 1982 (aged 31) 85 Racing Métro
Rhodri Williams Scrum-half (1993-05-05)5 May 1993 (aged 21) 3 Scarlets
Dan Biggar Fly-half (1989-10-16)16 October 1989 (aged 24) 23 Ospreys
James Hook Fly-half (1985-06-27)27 June 1985 (aged 28) 75 Perpignan
Cory Allen Centre (1993-02-11)11 February 1993 (aged 21) 1 Cardiff Blues
Jonathan Davies Centre (1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 26) 39 Scarlets
Jamie Roberts Centre (1986-11-08)8 November 1986 (aged 27) 58 Racing Métro
Steven Shingler Centre (1991-06-20)20 June 1991 (aged 22) 0 Scarlets
Alex Cuthbert Wing (1990-04-05)5 April 1990 (aged 24) 24 Cardiff Blues
George North Wing (1992-04-13)13 April 1992 (aged 22) 40 Northampton Saints
Jordan Williams Wing (1993-09-20)20 September 1993 (aged 20) 0 Scarlets
Matthew Morgan Fullback (1991-04-23)23 April 1991 (aged 23) 0 Ospreys
Liam Williams Fullback (1991-04-09)9 April 1991 (aged 23) 12 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.[13]

On 2 June, Damian de Allende was withdrawn from the squad due to injury. He was replaced by Marnitz Boshoff.[14]

On 8 June, Trevor Nyakane was added to the squad to provide further cover in his respective position.[15]

Head Coach: 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 (1981-05-16)16 May 1981 (aged 33) 5 Saracens
Bismarck du Plessis ‡ Hooker (1984-05-22)22 May 1984 (aged 30) 57 Sharks
Callie Visagie Hooker (1988-07-09)9 July 1988 (aged 25) 0 Bulls
Jannie du Plessis ‡ Prop (1982-11-16)16 November 1982 (aged 31) 51 Sharks
Tendai Mtawarira ‡ Prop (1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 28) 53 Sharks
Trevor Nyakane Prop (1989-05-04)4 May 1989 (aged 25) 3 Cheetahs
Coenie Oosthuizen ‡ Prop (1989-03-22)22 March 1989 (aged 25) 14 Cheetahs
Gurthrö Steenkamp Prop (1981-06-12)12 June 1981 (aged 33) 49 Toulouse
Marcel van der Merwe Prop (1990-10-24)24 October 1990 (aged 23) 0 Bulls
Bakkies Botha Lock (1979-09-22)22 September 1979 (aged 34) 78 Toulon
Lood de Jager Lock (1992-12-17)17 December 1992 (aged 21) 0 Cheetahs
Victor Matfield (c) Lock (1977-05-11)11 May 1977 (aged 37) 110 Bulls
Flip van der Merwe ‡ Lock (1985-06-06)6 June 1985 (aged 29) 34 Bulls
Willem Alberts ‡ Flanker (1984-05-11)11 May 1984 (aged 30) 30 Sharks
Schalk Burger Flanker (1983-04-13)13 April 1983 (aged 31) 68 Stormers
Marcell Coetzee ‡ Flanker (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 23) 15 Sharks
Siya Kolisi ‡ Flanker (1991-06-16)16 June 1991 (aged 22) 10 Stormers
Francois Louw Flanker (1985-06-15)15 June 1985 (aged 28) 28 Bath
Oupa Mohojé Flanker (1990-08-03)3 August 1990 (aged 23) 0 Cheetahs
Duane Vermeulen ‡ Number 8 (1986-07-03)3 July 1986 (aged 27) 16 Stormers
Fourie du Preez Scrum-half (1982-03-24)24 March 1982 (aged 32) 67 Suntory Sungoliath
Francois Hougaard ‡ Scrum-half (1988-04-06)6 April 1988 (aged 26) 27 Bulls
Ruan Pienaar Scrum-half (1984-03-10)10 March 1984 (aged 30) 74 Ulster
Marnitz Boshoff Fly-half (1989-01-11)11 January 1989 (aged 25) 0 Lions
Johan Goosen Fly-half (1992-07-27)27 July 1992 (aged 21) 4 Cheetahs
François Steyn ‡ Fly-half (1987-05-14)14 May 1987 (aged 27) 53 Sharks
Morné Steyn Fly-half (1984-07-11)11 July 1984 (aged 29) 54 Stade Français
Damian de Allende Centre (1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 22) 0 Stormers
Juan de Jongh Centre (1988-04-15)15 April 1988 (aged 26) 14 Stormers
JJ Engelbrecht ‡ Centre (1989-02-22)22 February 1989 (aged 25) 12 Bulls
Jan Serfontein Centre (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 21) 9 Bulls
Bryan Habana Wing (1983-06-12)12 June 1983 (aged 31) 95 Toulon
Cornal Hendricks Wing (1988-04-18)18 April 1988 (aged 26) 0 Cheetahs
Lwazi Mvovo Wing (1986-06-03)3 June 1986 (aged 28) 7 Sharks
JP Pietersen Wing (1986-07-12)12 July 1986 (aged 27) 51 Sharks
S'bura Sithole Wing (1990-06-14)14 June 1990 (aged 24) 0 Sharks
Zane Kirchner Fullback (1984-06-16)16 June 1984 (aged 29) 28 Leinster
Willie le Roux ‡ Fullback (1989-08-18)18 August 1989 (aged 24) 12 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 (1985-11-18)18 November 1985 (aged 28) 33 Cheetahs
Eben Etzebeth ‡ Lock (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 22) 23 Stormers
Juan Smith Flanker (1981-07-30)30 July 1981 (aged 32) 69 Toulon
Pat Lambie ‡ Fly-half (1990-10-17)17 October 1990 (aged 23) 32 Sharks
Jaque Fourie Centre (1983-03-04)4 March 1983 (aged 31) 72 Kobelco Steelers
Jean de Villiers ‡ Centre (1981-02-24)24 February 1981 (aged 33) 96 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[16] Try: Hargreaves 5' c
Con: O'Connor (1/1) 5'
Pen: O'Connor (2/2) 23', 40'
Newlands, Cape Town [6]
Attendance: 31,500
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

Statistics

Key

  • Con: Conversions
  • Pen: Penalties
  • DG: Drop goals
  • Pts: Points

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. WalesOnline (7 December 2012). "Wales set to tour South Africa in 2014". walesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  2. "Wales to face Eastern Province Kings". www.wru.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  3. Staff, ESPN. "Wales tour gets off to a winning start". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  4. "Wales to face Eastern Province Kings" (Press release). Wales RFU. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  5. Staff, ESPN. "South Africa far too strong for Wales". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  6. "Busy year ahead for Springboks". ESPN Scrum. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  7. Staff, ESPN. "Late penalty-try leaves gutsy Wales broken". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  8. "WRU confirm Wales senior trial match ahead of South Africa tour". 8 May 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  9. "Gavin Henson named in Wales Probables squad for trial". 13 May 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  10. "English clubs block Wales players from trial match". 12 May 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  11. "Wales trial: Probables 55-7 Possibles". 30 May 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  12. "Gatland names 32-man squad for South Africa". www.wru.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  13. "Seven uncapped players in Springbok squad". South African Rugby Union. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  14. "Springboks suffer De Allende injury setback". South African Rugby Union. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  15. http://www.sarugby.net/component/supersportcontent/20681?view=news&leagueId=1674
  16. Staff, ESPN. "South Africa flattered in warm-up match". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
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