Wales player ratings vs Springboks: Nations Championships

Saturday, 18 July 2026 at 18:28

byHarry Tovey

Wales player ratings vs Springboks as Steve Tandy's side were dismantled and held scoreless in a one-sided Nations Championship defeat.

⭐ Save us to your Google Favourites for nonstop RUCK content!

Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.

Scroll down for Wales player ratings vs Springboks.

Wales player ratings vs Springboks:

15. Blair Murray - 5

There were many questions whether Scarlets’ Ellis Mee was better suited here at fullback for Wales, but Murray remained in the 15-jersey. Had a quiet opening half, with his only impact making a timely kick into the corner to give his side a rare attacking opportunity in South Africa’s 22.

Had a moment of madness late in the first-half, which was then followed minutes later with the Springboks’ third. You do think if given more time with the ball, like so many of Wales’ back-three, then he’ll likely thrive. He does still remain vulnerable when under pressure.

14. Louis Rees-Zammit - 6

The Bristol Bears player returned to the starting XV after being dropped to the bench for the clash against Argentina. He’s also admitted he has not yet found his feet back in rugby after his exploits in the NFL. That’s been apparent in all of his outings since returning.

But, like his contest against Fiji to begin his Nations Championship campaign, he made little to no impact on the match. When given the ball, he showed glimpses of the Rees-Zammit everybody expects to see, but he needed more time to work his magic.

13. Max Llewellyn - 4.5

Tandy’s selection rose many eyebrows with his choices at who started in midfield, but with that many were pleased to see the Gloucester player back playing. He should have done better defensively with Cobus Reinach’s early score.

His physical presence was unseen in the contest, and it came as no surprise that he was replaced by Joe Hawkins at halftime. Maybe Eddie James should have remained at outside-centre.

12. Ben Thomas - 5.5

After not starting since facing England in Twickenham in February, Thomas was back involved and needed a big game. He needed to be strong defensively, was also involved in a large amount of breakdowns when his side were in attack.

Has had his naysayers in the past, but has made a strong argument to regain the 12-jersey for the autumn after he was one of Wales’ dependable players in the contest, despite a simple mistake that led to the hosts’ fifth.

11. Ellis Mee - 5

With Josh Adams withdrawing from the fixture due to a tight calf, Mee was brought straight into the starting XV. He thought his long and draining season came to an end last week, but took his opportunity.

Normally is good under the highball, but was poor. He made a much-needed try-saving tackle early, but had a lot of his positive work overshadowed by his errors.

10. Dan Edwards - 6.5

Following being dropped from the match-day 23 completely last weekend in San Juan, Edwards should now be Wales’ first choice here, and Tandy needs to stick his previous consistent selection of the 23-year-old.

Didn’t do anything impactful or headline worthy, but did the basics well for his side in what was a low quality contest in Durban. It was his best performance for Wales this summer, despite the scoreline being grim reading for his side.

9. Tomos Williams - 7

There was an intrigue to see what impact Williams could make off the bench, but started from the off and needed to hit the heights of what warranted him a spot on last year’s British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

Made some questionable kicks, continuously attempted to get his side on the front foot, but wasn’t successful. Was one of his better performances in a Welsh shirt for sometime.

1. Rhys Carré - 5

It’s been a summer campaign, which has seen the 28-year-old deliver but also leave questions surrounding whether he’s the first choice loose-head in this Welsh side.

Didn’t make much of an impact in the contest, wasn’t the best in defence. Unlike Wales’ opening two Nations Championship matches, their scrum was not a strength like the other matches.

Uncharacteristically the Saracens player didn’t look threatening with or without possession.

2. Dewi Lake - 7.5

It’s some sort of miracle that Lake was fit for the contest after he limped off against Los Pumas last weekend, but one of Wales’ standouts this summer continued his impressive form. He’s now one of Wales’ influential players and continues to lead well.

His arrows were firing, which has been a great strength this summer, and carried well getting his side over the gain line. He was replaced at half-time by Ryan Elias.

3. Dillon Lewis - 5

The 30-year-old had one of the best performances last timeout in western Argentina, where he was a complete nuisance around the breakdown and was solid at scrum time. He needed to do the same against the back-to-back world champions.

Questionably was penalised at the first scrum, but this was an area where the tight-head was not shining. As the opening 40 minutes went on, he turned into a liability for his side who were under considerable pressure.

4. Teddy Williams - 5

Williams who started in Wales’ first match this summer against the Barbarians, was brought into the starting XV after standout Ben Carter being injured.

It was a golden chance to stake his claim for the autumn as well, and the 25-year-old unlike his counterpart in the second row had a quieter performance. The Cardiff player defensively made some notable hits, but it wasn’t a performance that warrants regaining the starting shirt.

5. Adam Beard - 6

After falling down the pecking order, Beard has had a great summer campaign. Took over control of Wales’ strongest set-piece, line-out, and excelled.

With his side unable to use their scrum as a catalyst when attacking, Beard did well in controlling this area and held his own in defence.

There’s been pressure on the 30-year-old but he has had a strong campaign, but has he done enough to regain the starting position come the autumn?

6. Alex Mann - 8

The Cardiff player was rested for the fixture in Argentina, and this came after a strong showing against Fiji seven days earlier. The 24-year-old could be rather fortunate to find himself starting, after the excellence that James Botham has shown in the past two Test matches.

Fired out the blocks straight away, was strong defensively, had a high work rate, was a complete nuisance and was not shy of getting up in the faces of the back-to-back world champions.

The competition for who will be the number one choice at blind-side is going to be fascinating.

7. Jac Morgan - 7

Once again Morgan continues to be a shining light in this side, whether that be when Wales are victorious or suffer a loss.

Chased back well, which followed his side having a penalty and then pressure was relieved. Had a quiet outing, but even then was strong for his side with his work rate once again being unmatched.

8. Aaron Wainwright - 7

The Leicester Tigers-bound player has been solid throughout the start of the inaugural Nations Championship. Carried well from the base of Wales’ scrum making much needed metres with ball in hand.

After only 25 minutes he made eight carries alone, but had his evening cut short after being replaced by James Botham. This was perhaps a sign of the impact of a long and draining season for one of Wales’ best players.