# 2022 Wales rugby union tour of South Africa

The Wales national rugby union team toured South Africa in July 2022 for a series of three test matches against the South Africa national team. It was the seventh time Wales had toured South Africa in test history. In each of the previous 10 matches contested between the two nations on South African soil – the first of which took place in 1964 – South Africa were the victors.
South Africa took the lead in the 2022 test series, beating Wales by 32–29 in Pretoria on 2 July. A week later, Wales made history with their first ever test victory in South Africa, leveling the series by winning 13–12 in Bloemfontein on 9 July. The decider took place in Cape Town on 16 July, with South Africa winning 30–14 to take the series.

## Squads
### South Africa

South Africa named their squad for the three-test series on 11 June 2022. Coach Jacques Nienaber picked 43 players, including eight who were yet to win a cap for the Springboks: Evan Roos, Elrigh Louw, Ruan Nortjé, Salmaan Moerat, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Deon Fourie, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Grant Williams.
Caps and ages are as of 2 July 2022, prior to the first test.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Joseph Dweba | Hooker | (1995-10-25)25 October 1995 (aged 26) | 1 | Bordeaux |
| Malcolm Marx | Hooker | (1994-07-13)13 July 1994 (aged 27) | 46 | Kubota Spears |
| Bongi Mbonambi | Hooker | (1991-01-07)7 January 1991 (aged 31) | 48 | Sharks |
| Thomas du Toit | Prop | (1995-05-05)5 May 1995 (aged 27) | 13 | Sharks |
| Steven Kitshoff | Prop | (1992-02-10)10 February 1992 (aged 30) | 59 | Stormers |
| Vincent Koch | Prop | (1990-03-13)13 March 1990 (aged 32) | 31 | Saracens |
| Frans Malherbe | Prop | (1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 31) | 46 | Stormers |
| Ntuthuko Mchunu | Prop | (1999-04-05)5 April 1999 (aged 23) | 0 | Sharks |
| Ox Nché | Prop | (1995-07-23)23 July 1995 (aged 26) | 9 | Sharks |
| Trevor Nyakane | Prop | (1989-05-04)4 May 1989 (aged 33) | 54 | Racing 92 |
| Lood de Jager | Lock | (1992-12-17)17 December 1992 (aged 29) | 56 | Sale Sharks |
| Eben Etzebeth | Lock | (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 30) | 97 | Sharks |
| Salmaan Moerat | Lock | (1998-03-06)6 March 1998 (aged 24) | 0 | Stormers |
| Ruan Nortjé | Lock | (1998-07-25)25 July 1998 (aged 23) | 0 | Bulls |
| Franco Mostert | Lock | (1990-11-27)27 November 1990 (aged 31) | 51 | Mie Honda Heat |
| Marvin Orie | Lock | (1993-02-15)15 February 1993 (aged 29) | 7 | Stormers |
| Pieter-Steph du Toit | Loose forward | (1992-08-20)20 August 1992 (aged 29) | 58 | Toyota Verblitz |
| Marcell Coetzee | Loose forward | (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 31) | 30 | Bulls |
| Rynhardt Elstadt | Loose forward | (1989-10-20)20 October 1989 (aged 32) | 3 | Toulouse |
| Deon Fourie | Loose forward | (1986-09-25)25 September 1986 (aged 35) | 0 | Stormers |
| Siya Kolisi (c) | Loose forward | (1991-06-16)16 June 1991 (aged 31) | 63 | Sharks |
| Elrigh Louw | Loose forward | (1999-10-20)20 October 1999 (aged 22) | 0 | Bulls |
| Evan Roos | Loose forward | (2000-01-21)21 January 2000 (aged 22) | 0 | Stormers |
| Kwagga Smith | Loose forward | (1993-06-11)11 June 1993 (aged 29) | 19 | Shizuoka Blue Revs |
| Jasper Wiese | Loose forward | (1995-10-21)21 October 1995 (aged 26) | 11 | Leicester Tigers |
| Faf de Klerk | Scrum-half | (1991-10-19)19 October 1991 (aged 30) | 36 | Sale Sharks |
| Jaden Hendrikse | Scrum-half | (2000-03-23)23 March 2000 (aged 22) | 2 | Sharks |
| Herschel Jantjies | Scrum-half | (1996-04-22)22 April 1996 (aged 26) | 21 | Stormers |
| Cobus Reinach | Scrum-half | (1990-02-07)7 February 1990 (aged 32) | 21 | Montpellier |
| Grant Williams | Scrum-half | (1996-07-22)22 July 1996 (aged 25) | 0 | Sharks |
| Elton Jantjies | Fly-half | (1990-08-01)1 August 1990 (aged 31) | 44 | NTT Red Hurricanes |
| Handré Pollard | Fly-half | (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 28) | 60 | Montpellier |
| Lukhanyo Am | Centre | (1993-11-28)28 November 1993 (aged 28) | 26 | Sharks |
| Damian de Allende | Centre | (1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 30) | 58 | Munster |
| André Esterhuizen | Centre | (1994-03-30)30 March 1994 (aged 28) | 8 | Harlequins |
| Jesse Kriel | Centre | (1994-02-15)15 February 1994 (aged 28) | 51 | Yokohama Canon Eagles |
| Cheslin Kolbe | Wing | (1993-10-28)28 October 1993 (aged 28) | 18 | Toulon |
| Makazole Mapimpi | Wing | (1990-07-26)26 July 1990 (aged 31) | 25 | Sharks |
| Kurt-Lee Arendse | Wing | (1996-06-17)17 June 1996 (aged 26) | 0 | Bulls |
| Aphelele Fassi | Fullback | (1998-01-23)23 January 1998 (aged 24) | 2 | Sharks |
| Warrick Gelant | Fullback | (1995-05-20)20 May 1995 (aged 27) | 9 | Stormers |
| Willie le Roux | Fullback | (1989-08-18)18 August 1989 (aged 32) | 71 | Toyota Verblitz |
| Damian Willemse | Fullback | (1998-05-07)7 May 1998 (aged 24) | 15 | Stormers |

### Wales

Wales coach Wayne Pivac named a squad of 33 for the tour, including two uncapped players in forwards Tommy Reffell and James Ratti, while flanker Dan Lydiate, fly-half Rhys Patchell and centre George North made their returns after long absences due to injury. Surprise omissions from the squad included forwards Seb Davies, James Botham and Jac Morgan. On 7 June, Dragons prop Leon Brown pulled out through injury and was replaced by Sam Wainwright. Scarlets prop Harri O'Connor was added to the squad on 21 June. Fly-half Gareth Anscombe joined up with the squad on 28 June, having stayed back in Wales pending the birth of his second child.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Ryan Elias | Hooker | (1995-01-07) 7 January 1995 (age 29) | 27 | Scarlets |
| Dewi Lake | Hooker | (1999-05-16) 16 May 1999 (age 25) | 5 | Ospreys |
| Sam Parry | Hooker | (1991-12-17) 17 December 1991 (age 32) | 5 | Ospreys |
| Rhys Carré | Prop | (1998-02-08) 8 February 1998 (age 26) | 16 | Cardiff |
| Tomas Francis | Prop | (1992-04-27) 27 April 1992 (age 32) | 64 | Ospreys |
| Wyn Jones | Prop | (1992-02-26) 26 February 1992 (age 32) | 43 | Scarlets |
| Dillon Lewis | Prop | (1996-01-04) 4 January 1996 (age 28) | 38 | Cardiff |
| Harri O'Connor | Prop | (2000-10-25) 25 October 2000 (age 23) | 0 | Scarlets |
| Gareth Thomas | Prop | (1993-08-02) 2 August 1993 (age 31) | 10 | Ospreys |
| Sam Wainwright | Prop | (1998-05-07) 7 May 1998 (age 26) | 0 | Saracens |
| Adam Beard | Lock | (1996-01-07) 7 January 1996 (age 28) | 34 | Ospreys |
| Ben Carter | Lock | (2001-01-23) 23 January 2001 (age 23) | 6 | Dragons |
| Alun Wyn Jones | Lock | (1985-09-19) 19 September 1985 (age 39) | 150 | Ospreys |
| Will Rowlands | Lock | (1991-09-19) 19 September 1991 (age 33) | 18 | Dragons |
| Taine Basham | Back row | (1999-11-02) 2 November 1999 (age 24) | 10 | Dragons |
| Taulupe Faletau | Back row | (1990-11-12) 12 November 1990 (age 33) | 89 | Bath |
| Dan Lydiate | Back row | (1987-12-18) 18 December 1987 (age 36) | 65 | Ospreys |
| Josh Navidi | Back row | (1990-12-30) 30 December 1990 (age 33) | 30 | Cardiff |
| James Ratti | Back row | (1997-10-14) 14 October 1997 (age 26) | 0 | Cardiff |
| Tommy Reffell | Back row | (1999-04-27) 27 April 1999 (age 25) | 0 | Leicester Tigers |
| Gareth Davies | Scrum-half | (1990-08-18) 18 August 1990 (age 34) | 67 | Scarlets |
| Kieran Hardy | Scrum-half | (1995-11-30) 30 November 1995 (age 28) | 11 | Scarlets |
| Tomos Williams | Scrum-half | (1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 (age 29) | 33 | Cardiff |
| Gareth Anscombe | Fly-half | (1991-05-10) 10 May 1991 (age 33) | 31 | Ospreys |
| Dan Biggar | Fly-half | (1989-10-16) 16 October 1989 (age 34) | 100 | Northampton Saints |
| Rhys Patchell | Fly-half | (1993-05-17) 17 May 1993 (age 31) | 21 | Scarlets |
| George North | Centre | (1992-04-13) 13 April 1992 (age 32) | 102 | Ospreys |
| Nick Tompkins | Centre | (1995-02-16) 16 February 1995 (age 29) | 20 | Saracens |
| Owen Watkin | Centre | (1996-10-12) 12 October 1996 (age 27) | 31 | Ospreys |
| Johnny Williams | Centre | (1996-10-18) 18 October 1996 (age 27) | 5 | Scarlets |
| Josh Adams | Wing | (1995-04-21) 21 April 1995 (age 29) | 39 | Cardiff |
| Alex Cuthbert | Wing | (1990-04-05) 5 April 1990 (age 34) | 51 | Ospreys |
| Louis Rees-Zammit | Wing | (2001-02-02) 2 February 2001 (age 23) | 16 | Gloucester |
| Liam Williams | Fullback | (1991-04-09) 9 April 1991 (age 33) | 78 | Scarlets |

## Fixtures

The tour was confirmed in February 2022, with the two sides scheduled to play three tests in July 2022. The first test would be played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on 2 July, the second test at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on 9 July, and the third test at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on 16 July.

### 1st test

* 2 July 2022 17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 32–29 | Wales |
| Try: Mbonambi 46' c Marx 51' m Kolbe 66' c Penalty try 75' Con: Willemse (2/3) 48', 68' Pen: E. Jantjies (1/3) 17' Willemse (1/1) 80+3' | Report | Try: Rees-Zammit (2) 3' m, 32' c Lake 77' m Con: Biggar (1/3) 34' Pen: Biggar (3/3) 20', 55', 63' Drop: Biggar (1/1) 9' |
* Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria Attendance: 51,762 Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Team details :
| FB | 15 | Damian Willemse |
| RW | 14 | Cheslin Kolbe |
| OC | 13 | Lukhanyo Am |
| IC | 12 | Damian de Allende |
| LW | 11 | Makazole Mapimpi |
| FH | 10 | Elton Jantjies | 41' |
| SH | 9 | Faf de Klerk | 71' |
| N8 | 8 | Jasper Wiese |
| BF | 7 | Franco Mostert | 51' |
| OF | 6 | Siya Kolisi (c) | 51' |
| RL | 5 | Lood de Jager |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | 70' |
| TP | 3 | Frans Malherbe | 50' |
| HK | 2 | Bongi Mbonambi | 50' |
| LP | 1 | Ox Nché | 50' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Malcolm Marx | 50' |
| PR | 17 | Steven Kitshoff | 50' |
| PR | 18 | Vincent Koch | 50' |
| LK | 19 | Salmaan Moerat | 70' |
| FL | 20 | Elrigh Louw | 51' |
| FL | 21 | Kwagga Smith | 51' |
| SH | 22 | Herschel Jantjies | 71' |
| FB | 23 | Willie le Roux | 41' |
| Coach: ||
| Jacques Nienaber ||
| FB | 15 | Liam Williams |
| RW | 14 | Louis Rees-Zammit | 74' |
| OC | 13 | George North |
| IC | 12 | Nick Tompkins |
| LW | 11 | Josh Adams | | 63' |
| FH | 10 | Dan Biggar (c) | 38' |
| SH | 9 | Kieran Hardy | | 53' |
| N8 | 8 | Taulupe Faletau |
| OF | 7 | Tommy Reffell |
| BF | 6 | Dan Lydiate | | 63' |
| RL | 5 | Adam Beard | | 50' |
| LL | 4 | Will Rowlands |
| TP | 3 | Dillon Lewis | | 45' | 50' |
| HK | 2 | Ryan Elias | | 50' |
| LP | 1 | Gareth Thomas | | 53' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Dewi Lake | | 50' |
| PR | 17 | Rhys Carre | 75' | 53' |
| PR | 18 | Tomas Francis | | 45' | 50' |
| LK | 19 | Alun Wyn Jones | 66' | 50' |
| FL | 20 | Josh Navidi | | 63' |
| SH | 21 | Tomos Williams | | 53' |
| FH | 22 | Gareth Anscombe |
| CE | 23 | Owen Watkin | | 63' |
| Coach: ||
| Wayne Pivac ||
* Assistant referees:
* Angus Gardner (Australia)
* Andrea Piardi (Italy)
* Television match official:
* Joy Neville (Ireland)
Notes:
* Elrigh Louw, Salmaan Moerat (both South Africa) and Tommy Reffell (Wales) made their international debuts.

### 2nd test

* 9 July 2022 17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 12–13 | Wales |
| Pen: Pollard (4/6) 5', 43', 51', 59' | Report | Try: Adams 77' c Con: Anscombe (1/1) 78' Pen: Biggar (1/2) 2' Anscombe (1/2) 66' |
* Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Team details :
| FB | 15 | Warrick Gelant |
| RW | 14 | Kurt-Lee Arendse |
| OC | 13 | Jesse Kriel |
| IC | 12 | André Esterhuizen |
| LW | 11 | Aphelele Fassi | 67' |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard (c) | 73' |
| SH | 9 | Jaden Hendrikse |
| N8 | 8 | Evan Roos | 47' |
| BF | 7 | Pieter-Steph du Toit |
| OF | 6 | Marcell Coetzee | 47' |
| RL | 5 | Marvin Orie | 59' |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth |
| TP | 3 | Trevor Nyakane | 41' |
| HK | 2 | Joseph Dweba | 41' |
| LP | 1 | Thomas du Toit | 47' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Malcolm Marx | 41' |
| PR | 17 | Ntuthuko Mchunu | 47' |
| PR | 18 | Vincent Koch | 41' |
| LK | 19 | Ruan Nortjé | 59' |
| FL | 20 | Rynhardt Elstadt | 47' |
| FL | 21 | Deon Fourie | 47' |
| SH | 22 | Grant Williams | 73' |
| FB | 23 | Damian Willemse | 67' |
| Coach: ||
| Jacques Nienaber ||
| FB | 15 | Liam Williams |
| RW | 14 | Louis Rees-Zammit |
| OC | 13 | George North |
| IC | 12 | Nick Tompkins |
| LW | 11 | Alex Cuthbert | | 17' |
| FH | 10 | Dan Biggar (c) | | 50' |
| SH | 9 | Kieran Hardy | | 41' |
| N8 | 8 | Taulupe Faletau |
| OF | 7 | Tommy Reffell |
| BF | 6 | Dan Lydiate | | 59' |
| RL | 5 | Adam Beard |
| LL | 4 | Will Rowlands | | 54' |
| TP | 3 | Dillon Lewis | | 65' |
| HK | 2 | Ryan Elias | | 49' |
| LP | 1 | Gareth Thomas | | 49' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Dewi Lake | | 49' |
| PR | 17 | Wyn Jones | | 49' |
| PR | 18 | Sam Wainwright | | 65' |
| LK | 19 | Alun Wyn Jones | 56' | 54' |
| FL | 20 | Josh Navidi | | 59' |
| SH | 21 | Tomos Williams | | 41' |
| FH | 22 | Gareth Anscombe | | 50' |
| WG | 23 | Josh Adams | | 17' |
| Coach: ||
| Wayne Pivac ||
* Assistant referees:
* Matthew Carley (England)
* Andrea Piardi (Italy)
* Television match official:
* Brett Cronan (Australia)
Notes:
* This was Wales' first ever victory over South Africa in a test match on South African soil.
* Kurt-Lee Arendse, Deon Fourie, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ruan Nortjé, Evan Roos, Grant Williams (all South Africa) and Sam Wainwright (Wales) made their international debuts.

### 3rd test

* 16 July 2022 17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 30–14 | Wales |
| Try: Pollard 14' c Mbonambi 38' c Kolisi 53' c Con: Pollard (3/3) 16', 39', 54' Pen: Pollard (3/3) 5', 78', 80+1' | Report | Try: Reffell 19' m Pen: Biggar (3/3) 33', 42', 48' |
* Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Team details :
| FB | 15 | Damian Willemse |
| RW | 14 | Cheslin Kolbe | 21' |
| OC | 13 | Lukhanyo Am |
| IC | 12 | Damian de Allende |
| LW | 11 | Makazole Mapimpi |
| FH | 10 | Handré Pollard |
| SH | 9 | Jaden Hendrikse | 65' |
| N8 | 8 | Jasper Wiese | 39' |
| BF | 7 | Pieter-Steph du Toit | 77' |
| OF | 6 | Siya Kolisi (c) |
| RL | 5 | Lood de Jager |
| LL | 4 | Eben Etzebeth | 61' |
| TP | 3 | Frans Malherbe | 45' |
| HK | 2 | Bongi Mbonambi | 45' |
| LP | 1 | Trevor Nyakane | 45' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Malcolm Marx | 45' |
| PR | 17 | Steven Kitshoff | 45' |
| PR | 18 | Vincent Koch | 45' |
| LK | 19 | Franco Mostert | 61' |
| FL | 20 | Kwagga Smith | 39' |
| FL | 21 | Elrigh Louw | 77' |
| SH | 22 | Faf de Klerk | 65' |
| FB | 23 | Willie le Roux | 21' |
| Coach: ||
| Jacques Nienaber ||
| FB | 15 | Liam Williams |
| RW | 14 | Louis Rees-Zammit |
| OC | 13 | George North |
| IC | 12 | Nick Tompkins | 60' |
| LW | 11 | Josh Adams |
| FH | 10 | Dan Biggar (c) |
| SH | 9 | Kieran Hardy | 51' |
| N8 | 8 | Josh Navidi |
| OF | 7 | Tommy Reffell | 55' |
| BF | 6 | Dan Lydiate | 16' |
| RL | 5 | Adam Beard |
| LL | 4 | Will Rowlands |
| TP | 3 | Dillon Lewis | 41' |
| HK | 2 | Ryan Elias | 40' |
| LP | 1 | Gareth Thomas | 56' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Dewi Lake | 40' |
| PR | 17 | Wyn Jones | 56' |
| PR | 18 | Sam Wainwright | 41' |
| LK | 19 | Alun Wyn Jones | 16' |
| FL | 20 | Taine Basham | 55' |
| SH | 21 | Tomos Williams | 51' |
| FH | 22 | Rhys Patchell |
| CE | 23 | Owen Watkin | 60' |
| Coach: ||
| Wayne Pivac ||
* Assistant referees:
* Angus Gardner (Australia)
* Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
* Television match official:
* Brett Cronan (Australia)
Notes:
* Taulupe Faletau and Gareth Anscombe were originally named in the Wales team, but pulled out during the warm-up. Faletau was replaced in the starting line-up by Josh Navidi, whose place on the bench was taken by Taine Basham, while Anscombe's place among the replacements was taken by Rhys Patchell.
* Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) earned his 100th test cap.
* Bongi Mbonambi (South Africa) earned his 50th test cap.