- Published

WXV Global Series

Wales (38) 50

Tries: Keight, Tuipulotu 2, Lockwood, Davies, K Jones, Neumann, Callender Cons: Bell 5

South Africa (5) 19

Tries: Jacobs, Tshiremba, Samboya Cons: Dolf 2

Wales returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with an eight-try victory over South Africa at Cardiff Arms Park.

The hosts had gone nine Tests without a victory heading into their WXV Global Series opener, with a tight contest predicted against a Springboks side ranked three places above them in the world.

But Sean Lynn's bold selections paid off as Wales attacked with a freedom and intent they have not produced for years.

They were six tries to the good in a dominant first half, with the visitors made to pay for indiscipline.

Tighthead Sisilia Tuipulotu was back to her irrestistible best, scoring in either half, while co-captain Alex Callender returned from injury with a typically impressive player-of-the-match display.

A brave new Wales

Lynn had told his players to be brave in the build-up, and he was courageous with his team selection after moving scrum-half Keira Bevan to 10.

The gamble paid off as the hosts enjoyed a perfect start under Friday night lights and it was fitting that the recently crowned Welsh Rugby Writers' player of the year Courtney Keight bagged the opening score.

Georgia Evans and Tuipulotu had made the hard yards before the ball was spread wide to Keight on the left wing and she cut inside to go over.

Kelsey Jones' turnover provided the launchpad for the second, with Evans popping a neat ball back inside for Tuipulotu to charge to the line.

South Africa responded with Felicia Jacobs benefiting from a dominant scrum on Wales' five-metre line, but that was to be their only score in a one-sided half.

Former Cardiff City footballer Amy Williams came within metres of scoring after winning the footrace to Lisa Neumann's grubber kick, but Seren Lockwood was first to the breakdown and darted over herself.

It was a double blow for the visitors who had hooker Lindelwa Gwala sent to the sin bin for being offside in the build-up

Wales took full advantage with Maisie Davies showing her power to score her first international try and secure Wales' bonus point.

The hosts were in dreamland, but had to revert to their usual half-back pairing when Lockwood failed to return from a head injury assessment, with Bevan going back to scrum-half and Lleucu George slotting in at 10.

The enforced changes did little to halt Wales' flow with Freya Bell coming agonisingly close from a five-metre driving lineout, but Jones was there to clean up as she crossed over.

South Africa then went down to 13, with lock Danelle Lochner sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Kate Williams, a card that would later be upgraded to a 20-minute red.

That paved the way for the pick of Wales' first-half tries. A solid scrum provided the platform for the ball to be worked out wide to Neumann who cruised over from her new full-back position.

It was Wales at their clinical best as they headed down the tunnel 38-5 in front.

South Africa show their threat

As we know in Welsh rugby, things are never that straightforward and a wounded South Africa came out a different team in the second half.

Wales had initially picked up where they left off with Tuipulotu powering through some weak tackling for her second of the night to give Wales a 40-point lead.

But South Africa chipped away, with Maria Tshiremba scoring her third try in just two appearances after latching on to a tricky crossfield kick.

They were soon in again with what was arguably the try of the night. It came from the powerful running of Aphiwe Ngwevu who offloaded to her centre partner Maceala Samboya, who showed a good turn of pace to get to the line.

With Wales' defence creaking, they were in need of a little inspiration and that came from Williams, who not only showed great feet down her wing but incredible strength to keep the ball alive for Callender to score.

Front-row forwards Shanelle Williams and Elan Jones came off the Welsh bench to make their debuts and enjoy something many of their team-mates had not experienced in over a year - a Welsh win.

Line-ups

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.

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.

Sin bin: Gwala (22mins)

Red card: Daniele Lochner (35 mins)