124-744: The South Africa national rugby union team , commonly known as the Springboks (colloquially the Boks , Bokke or Amabhokobhoko ), is the country's national team governed by the South African Rugby Union . The Springboks play in green and gold jerseys with white shorts, and their emblem is the Springbok , a native antelope and the national animal of South Africa. The team has represented South African Rugby Union in international rugby union since 30 July 1891, when they played their first test match against
248-574: A British Isles touring team. Currently, the Springboks are the reigning World Champions, having won the World Cup a record four times ( 1995 , 2007 , 2019 and 2023 ). South Africa are the only team to have won half of the Rugby World Cups they have participated in, and are also the second nation to win the World Cup consecutively (2019 and 2023). The team made its World Cup debut in 1995 , when
372-557: A Red Cross charity match against England at Cardiff in 1940, losing 18–9. After the Second World War, Wales played a New Zealand Army team ( the Kiwis ) in 1946, losing 11–3. The Five Nations (suspended during the war) resumed in 1947, when Wales shared the title with England. Although Wales suffered their first home defeat to France in 1948, they won their first Five Nations Grand Slam since 1911 in 1950. The next year, they lost 6–3 to
496-577: A 29–19 win in the first match played at the Millennium Stadium . Henry was consequently nicknamed "the Great Redeemer" by the Welsh media and fans, a reference to the opening line of Cwm Rhondda , a popular song among Welsh rugby fans. Hosting the 1999 World Cup , Wales qualified for the quarter-finals for the first time since 1987, but lost 24–9 to eventual champions Australia. A lack of success in
620-485: A 9–5 victory. In 1960, international criticism of apartheid grew in the wake of The Wind of Change speech and the Sharpeville massacre . The Springboks increasingly became the target of international protest. The All Blacks toured South Africa in 1960 , despite a 150,000 signature petition opposing it. The Springboks avenged their 1956 series defeat by winning the four-match test series 2–1 with one draw. that same year
744-577: A Springbok shirt, presented the trophy to captain Francois Pienaar , a white Afrikaner . The gesture was widely seen as a major step towards the reconciliation of white and black South Africans . A series of crises followed in 1995 through 1997. Christie resigned in 1996 due to leukaemia. South Africa struggled in the new Tri-Nations competition, the All Blacks won a test series in South Africa for
868-554: A change that took effect in 2006. South Africa was entitled to add one franchise to the four from the Super 12 era. In a controversial move, the Southern Spears franchise was assured a place in the 2007 and 2008 competitions, with an increasingly unpopular promotion/relegation system established to keep the total of South African Super 14 teams at its allotted five. Van Rooyen was widely viewed as being responsible for this arrangement, which
992-536: A deal worth £2 million. Redstone was replaced two years later by Reebok subsidiary Rockport , in a deal worth £1 million, followed by Brains Brewery in 2004, in conjunction with a four-year extension to the Reebok deal. Due to French alcohol advertising regulations , the "Brains" name was replaced by "Brawn" for the 2005 Six Nations Championship match between France and Wales at the Stade de France, and by "Brawn Again" for
1116-500: A draw, but Scotland was the only one of the Home unions to gain a victory. The trip instilled a sense of national pride among South Africans. The South Africans played an unofficial match against a 'France' team while the official French team were in England; the Springboks won 55–6. It was during this tour that the nickname Springboks was first used. The 1910 British Isles tour of South Africa
1240-549: A famous match at Cardiff Arms Park, and between March 1907 and January 1910, they won 11 consecutive matches, a record that stood for over a century. Welsh rugby struggled between the two World Wars, but experienced a second 'golden age' between 1969 and 1980, when they won eight Five Nations Championships. In addition to their Six Nations successes, Wales also finished fourth at both the 2011 Rugby World Cup and 2019 Rugby World Cup . Additionally Wales won 14 consecutive matches between March 2018 and March 2019, and reached number 1 in
1364-408: A late penalty goal by the replacement New Zealand fullback, Brian McKechnie . The penalty was controversial because New Zealand lock Andy Haden had dived out of a line-out in an attempt to earn a penalty. Haden later admitted that he and Frank Oliver had pre-agreed this tactic should they find themselves in difficulties. Referee Roger Quittenton was criticised by the press for failing to notice
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#17328441386291488-479: A one-off match in Washington, D.C. in a 22–20 loss to Wales . A week later, he secured his first win, a 42–39 victory over England, during their three-test series . The series title was clinched in the second test, with the Springboks winning 23–12, to secure a series victory. However, South Africa were unable to gain the clean-sweep, after losing the third test, 25–10. During the 2018 Rugby Championship , Erasmus led
1612-599: A planned All Black tour of South Africa was stopped by the New Zealand High Court . A rebel tour took place the next year by a team known as the Cavaliers , which consisted of all but two of the original squad. The Springboks won the series 3–1. In 1989, a World XV sanctioned by the International Rugby Board went on a mini-tour of South Africa; all traditional rugby nations bar New Zealand supplied players to
1736-629: A poor year in 1965, losing matches in a tour of Ireland and Scotland , and in a tour of Australia and New Zealand. The planned 1967 tour by the All Blacks was cancelled by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union after the South African government refused to allow Maori players. In 1968 the Lions toured and lost three Tests and drew one. Next year in the 1969–70 Springbok tour to the UK and Ireland
1860-578: A position they held until July of the following year when New Zealand reclaimed the top spot. The team was named 2008 World Team of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards . South Africa then won their third World Cup title, defeating England 32–12 in the 2019 final , and were named 2020 World Team of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards for the second time. They retained their world champions title in 2023 . The Springboks also compete in
1984-572: A row as a coach and if I did that I don't deserve to be a Springbok coach. We played New Zealand in Wellington and that was important, as if we lost it I wouldn't be here." South Africa came within moments of reclaiming the Freedom Cup in the final round, but an All Black try in the dying moments of the game helped New Zealand snatch victory in 32–30 win in Pretoria and retain the cup. The Springboks won
2108-560: A stand erected in 1881, and continued to expand its seating that decade. Crowds continued to grow and in 1902 in Wales' match against Scotland a world record 40,000 spectators paid to see the match. In 1911, the owners of the Arms Park, the Marquess of Bute 's family, confirmed Wales' tenure and during the 1920s and 1930s, Wales gradually gained increasing control. A new stand was built at the park in
2232-565: A statement condemning discrimination saying the team "stands together with Tel Aviv Heat players and coaches." Wales national rugby union team The Wales national rugby union team ( Welsh : Tîm rygbi'r undeb cenedlaethol Cymru ) represents the Welsh Rugby Union in men's international rugby union . Its governing body, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), was established in 1881, the same year that Wales played their first international against England . The team plays its home matches at
2356-470: A strong reelection challenge, withdrew from consideration for election. Brian van Rooyen was elected president of SARU in 2004. He soon became a highly polarising figure in South African sport, with detractors accusing him of financial shenanigans, favouritism, and general mismanagement. His management style was also widely perceived as autocratic. One of the major gripes against the Van Rooyen administration
2480-463: A watershed moment in the post-apartheid nation-building process . This cast a new light on South Africa, where people of all colour united as one nation to watch their team play. South Africa regained the world champions title 12 years later by defeating England 15–6 in the 2007 final . Following their 2007 World Cup victory, the Springboks ascended to first place in the IRB World Rankings ,
2604-500: Is characteristically Welsh", and David Andrew said that "To the popular consciousness, rugby is as Welsh as coal mining, male voice choirs, How Green Was My Valley , Dylan Thomas , and Tom Jones ". Welsh rugby's first 'golden age' (1900–1911) coincided with the country's zenith during the 20th century, and rugby was important in building Wales' modern identity. There is a long tradition of Welsh supporters singing before and during matches. The choral tradition developed in Wales during
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#17328441386292728-534: The 2008 Six Nations . They had not defeated England there since 1988, and went on to win 26–19. They eventually won all their matches in the Championship, conceding only two tries in the process, to claim another Grand Slam. Later that year, Wales defeated Australia 21–18 in Cardiff, but then started a six-year, 23-game winless streak against the southern hemisphere nations of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. At
2852-510: The 2011 World Cup , Wales reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1987, but lost 9–8 to France after captain Sam Warburton was sent off. The two teams met again in March 2012, with Wales needing a win to claim their third Six Nations Grand Slam in eight years, which they did with a 16–9 victory. This was followed immediately by an eight-match losing streak that was eventually broken during
2976-512: The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan after defeating England 32–12 in the final . It was the first time that a Black South African rugby captain got to lift the Webb Ellis Cup , as well as the first time that a team won a final with a defeat in pool stages, the captain being Siya Kolisi who presented South African president Cyril Ramaphosa the number 6 jersey to commemorate Nelson Mandela , who wore
3100-607: The 2022 Six Nations Championship , their sole win coming at home against Scotland. In the final week of the tournament, Wales lost to Italy 22–21, their first ever home loss to the Italians. They then embarked on a tour to South Africa over the summer. Wales narrowly lost the first test, losing 32–29 after a late penalty from Springbok outside half Handre Pollard . The following week, Wales secured their first ever win on South African soil, winning 13–12 in Bloemfontein. South Africa won
3224-547: The Flag of Saint David although there have been various different coloured strips in the past. Former change strips worn by Wales have used black, navy, white, yellow, grey & green as their predominant colours. Wales previously wore black jerseys as part of celebrations for the WRU's 125th anniversary in 2005. The jersey was worn against Fiji and then Australia that year; the Australia match
3348-653: The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff (currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Principality Stadium), which replaced Cardiff Arms Park as the national stadium of Wales in 1999. Wales has competed annually in the Six Nations Championship (previously the Home Nations Championship and Five Nations Championship) since it was established in 1883. They have won the tournament (and its predecessors) outright 28 times, most recently in 2021 . Since
3472-400: The Six Nations Championship – was first played, but Wales did not register a win. However, rugby in Wales developed and, by the 1890s, the Welsh had introduced the "four three-quarters" formation – with seven backs and eight forwards instead of six backs and nine forwards – which revolutionised the sport and was eventually adopted almost universally at international and club level. With
3596-477: The Springboks toured Europe , and they defeated all four Home unions for their fourth Grand Slam. The 1962 British Lions tour to South Africa lost three of the four tests, drawing the other. In 1963 the touring Wallabies beat the Springboks in consecutive tests, the first team to do so since the 1896 British team. In 1964, in Wales' first overseas tour they played one test match against South Africa, losing 3–24, their biggest defeat in 40 years. South Africa had
3720-509: The Tel Aviv Heat from an international competition in South Africa in February 2023. South Africa Rugby’s CEO said that after listening to "the opinions of important stakeholder groups," it had decided to disinvite Tel Aviv "to avoid the likelihood of the competition becoming a source of division, notwithstanding the fact that Israel is a full member of World Rugby." The Tel Aviv Heat protested
3844-651: The World Rugby Rankings for the first time in August 2019. Eight former Welsh players have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame ; 10 were inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame prior to its 2014 merger into the World Rugby Hall of Fame . Rugby union took root in Wales in 1850, when Reverend Rowland Williams became Vice-Principal at St David's College , Lampeter , and introduced
South Africa national rugby union team - Misplaced Pages Continue
3968-460: The "four three-quarters" formation, Wales won the Home Nations Championship for the first time in 1893 , winning the Triple Crown in the process. Wales next won the Championship in 1900 , heralding the first "golden age" of Welsh rugby, which was to last until 1911. They won two more Triple Crowns in 1902 and 1905 , and were runners-up in 1901 , 1903 and 1904 . In 1906, Wales again won
4092-438: The 1933–34 season, which increased the grounds' capacity to 56,000. By 1958, the WRU had concluded that a new national ground was needed due to flooding that often affected Arms Park. After debate and disputes between the WRU and various other parties, including Cardiff RFC , it was decided in the 1960s that a new national stadium would be built with a new ground for the Cardiff club backing onto it. The National Stadium, as it
4216-400: The 1970s, with world-class players such as Gareth Edwards , J. P. R. Williams , Gerald Davies , Barry John , and Mervyn Davies in their side. Wales dominated Northern Hemisphere rugby between 1969 and 1979, and managed an incredible winning record, losing only seven times during that period. Wales toured New Zealand for the first time in 1969, but were defeated in both matches. In
4340-422: The 1998 Tri-Nations. At the 1999 Rugby World Cup the Springboks reached the semi-finals of the competition, where they lost to eventual champions Australia . During the 2002 and 2003 seasons, the Springboks lost by record margins to England (3–53), France, Scotland and New Zealand. At the 2003 Rugby World Cup , they were eliminated in the quarter-final round – their worst showing to date. Following wins during
4464-621: The 19th century alongside the rise of nonconformity , and has extended to singing at rugby matches. Commonly sung songs include the hymn Cwm Rhondda , Tom Jones' Delilah , and Max Boyce 's Hymns and Arias . Wales' first home international was played in 1882 at St Helen's Ground in Swansea. In the 1880s and 1890s, home Welsh internationals were played at Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Llanelli. Swansea continued to be used as an international venue until 1954, when Cardiff Arms Park became Wales' primary home venue. Cardiff Arms Park first had
4588-418: The 2013 Six Nations, where Wales retained the Championship for the first time since 1979. Wales reached the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup at the expense of hosts England, before losing 23–19 to South Africa. Wales also achieved a fourth Grand Slam in 14 years and their first in seven years in the 2019 Six Nations. Wales reached the top spot in the men's World Rugby Rankings in August 2019, holding
4712-457: The 2015–16 season, the jersey design incorporated gold for the first time. The jerseys are embroidered with the WRU logo, which is based on the Prince of Wales's feathers . The original motto beneath the feathers was a German phrase, Ich dien , meaning I serve , but this has been replaced with large letters reading WRU . Wales's alternate strip as of 2023 is black with yellow accents, inspired by
4836-579: The 2019 Rugby World Cup. Pivac's first match in charge was a match against a Barbarians side coach by Gatland in November 2019. Despite winning Pivac's first full international in charge in the 2020 Six Nations against Italy, Wales only recorded two other wins all year, finishing fifth in both the Six Nations and the Autumn Nations Cup . 2021 saw highs and lows. Wales won their fourth Six Nations title of
4960-574: The ANC government's policies to redress racial imbalances in sport. At the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, the Springboks won their pool. The Springboks then defeated Fiji 37–20 in the quarter-finals, and Argentina 37–13 in the semi-finals. In the final they prevailed 15–6 over England to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time. In January 2008, Peter de Villiers was appointed as the first non-white coach of
5084-432: The All Blacks in the semi-finals. They then faced Australia in the third place play-off match, which they won 22–21. In the next two tournaments in 1991 and 1995, Wales failed to progress beyond the pool stage, winning just one match in each tournament. They also became the first co host nation to not make it out of the pool stage in 1991. Both the 1999 and 2003 tournaments were more successful, with Wales qualifying for
South Africa national rugby union team - Misplaced Pages Continue
5208-514: The All Blacks scoring four tries to nil. Wales won two matches in the Five Nations Championships of both 1980 and 1981 , and in 1983 were nearly upset by Japan , winning 29–24 at Cardiff. In 1984, Australia defeated Wales 28–9 at Cardiff Arms Park. Wales achieved only one win in 1987's Five Nations before contesting the inaugural Rugby World Cup . Wales defeated Ireland in their crucial pool fixture, before defeating England in
5332-511: The Boks were named IRB International Team of the Year . The Boks' June 2010 test campaign included a win over France (their first victory over the French since 2005). However, the Boks performed poorly in the 2010 Tri Nations campaign, sliding to third in the world rankings. In the 2011 Tri Nations the Boks rested a number of players in preparation for the upcoming World Cup. At the 2011 Rugby World Cup ,
5456-526: The English national anthem and New Zealand's haka were played over and over again... [and] were also forced into a freezing lake in the early hours of the morning to pump up rugby balls under water and... when some players tried to get out they were ordered back into the water at gunpoint." Straeuli resigned, as did Rian Oberholzer, the managing director of South Africa Rugby (Pty) Ltd, the commercial arm of SARFU. Soon afterwards, SARFU president Silas Nkununu, facing
5580-531: The First World War, Wales retained the same side for two consecutive matches when they faced England and Scotland. Then, in 1933, captained by Watcyn Thomas , Wales defeated England at Twickenham . In 1935, Wales beat the touring New Zealand side 13–12, with Haydn Tanner making his first appearance. Although the Five Nations Championship was suspended during the Second World War, Wales did play
5704-542: The Five Nations outright in 1975, and in 1976, Wales won their second Grand Slam of the decade. Just like the first in 1971, they used only 16 players over their four matches. They repeated the feat in 1978 and, in the process, became the first team to win three consecutive Triple Crowns. Following their final Five Nations match of 1978, both Phil Bennett and Gareth Edwards retired from rugby. Wales hosted New Zealand at Cardiff Arms Park in November 1978, losing 13–12 after
5828-457: The Five and Six Nations (Italy joined the tournament in 2000), and especially a number of heavy losses to Ireland, led to Henry's resignation in February 2002; his assistant Steve Hansen took over. During Hansen's tenure, the WRU implemented a significant change in the structure of the game domestically. Regional teams were introduced as a tier above the traditional club-based structures in 2003, and
5952-417: The Home Nations Championship, and later that year played South Africa for the first time. Wales were favourites to win the match , but South Africa dominated in the forwards and eventually won 11–0. Two years later, on 12 December 1908, Wales played the touring Australians , who they defeated 9–6. In 1909 , Wales won the Home Nations Championship and then, in 1910 – with the inclusion of France –
6076-644: The June 2004 tours, the Boks won the 2004 Tri Nations Series . The Springboks won the 2004 IRB International Team of the Year award. The Springboks finished second in the 2005 Tri-Nations. The 2006 Springboks lost to France, ending their long undefeated home record. A poor 2006 Tri Nations Series included two losses to the Wallabies. Coach Jake White told the press in July 2006 that he had been unable to pick some white players for his squad "because of transformation "—a reference to
6200-696: The Rugby Championship and the World Championships. There are also the Blitzboks, the national team for sevens rugby. Children and young people are introduced to rugby at school and then, depending on their interest and talent, training begins. The most talented players at school level are brought together every year after Craven Week (named after Danie Craven ) in the SA Schools team. Each South African university has its own rugby team, which can take part in
6324-605: The Six Nations was formed in 2000, Wales have won six Six Nations titles, including four Grand Slams, and finished bottom twice. Wales has also participated in every Rugby World Cup since the competition was established in 1987 ; they finished third in the inaugural tournament and have since made two semi-finals, in 2011 and 2019. Wales were the host nation for the 1999 Rugby World Cup , although matches were also played in England, Scotland, Ireland and France. The Wales team experienced their first 'golden age' between 1900 and 1911; they first played New Zealand in 1905, winning 3–0 in
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#17328441386296448-625: The South African Rugby Board were merged to form the South African Rugby Football Union. The unified body changed its name in 2005 to the current South African Rugby Union. The debacle of the 2003 World Cup saw the Springboks exit in the quarterfinals. Further, SARU experienced the scandal of Kamp Staaldraad , the training camp run by then-Boks coach Rudolf Straeuli . Reportedly, "naked players were crammed into foxholes and doused repeatedly with ice-cold water while
6572-588: The South African Tour that a much more positive attitude to the game was required in Wales ;... Players must be prepared to learn, and indeed re-learn, to the absolute point of mastery, the basic principles of Rugby Union football". This started the coaching revolution. The WRU Coaching Committee – set up in the late 1950s – was given the task of improving the quality of coaching and, in January 1967, Ray Williams
6696-478: The Springboks lost test matches against England and Scotland, and drew against Ireland and Wales. Throughout the tour however, large anti-apartheid demonstrations meant that several matches had to be played behind barbed wire fences. In 1970 the All Blacks toured South Africa once again—after the South African government agreed to treat Maoris in the team and Maori spectators as ' honorary whites '. The Springboks won
6820-577: The Springboks to second, their best placing since 2014 . The 2018 Championship saw South Africa win three games, including a thrilling 36–34 victory over New Zealand in Wellington , South Africa's first win in New Zealand since 2009. Erasmus later revealed that had the Springboks lost that match, he would have resigned: "We [had recently] lost to Australia and Argentina, and if we didn't win in Wellington I would have resigned... I have never lost three games in
6944-481: The Springboks topped their group before falling to Australia 9–11 in the quarter-finals. Following the sacking of Allister Coetzee in February 2018, Rassie Erasmus was named head coach of the national team, alongside his duties as Director of Rugby at SA Rugby, on 1 March 2018 and immediately decided to appoint Siya Kolisi as the new Springbok captain, a landmark decision. In his first match in charge, Erasmus awarded thirteen new players their first test cap, in
7068-511: The Springboks, including Australia , Italy , Scotland , Uruguay , Wales and New Zealand . The first British Isles tour took place in 1891, at Diocesan College. These were the first representative games played by South African sides. The tourists won all twenty matches they played, conceding only one point. The British Isles' success continued on their tour of 1896 , winning three out of four tests against South Africa. South Africa's play greatly improved from 1891, and their first test win in
7192-633: The Springboks. De Villiers's first squad included ten of colour. The team finishes last in the Tri Nations , but notched several wins during their 2008 end of year tour . The 2009 season was more successful. The Boks earned a 2–1 series win over the Lions, and then won the 2009 Tri Nations Series . However, during the November tests they lost their top spot in the IRB rankings with losses to France and Ireland. Nonetheless,
7316-458: The Stormers from Cape Town. Since the seasons overlap only slightly, many players are used in both professional leagues. The South African Rugby Board was the rugby union governing body of white South Africans between 1889 and 1992. The governing of white and coloured rugby union was handled separately during South Africa under Apartheid . In 1992 the non-racial South African Rugby Union and
7440-470: The Test series finished level. The Springboks won the first Test 17–0 to inflict the All Blacks' heaviest defeat since 1893. The All Blacks rebounded to win the second Test 7–6. After a Springbok win in the third Test, the All Blacks won 13–5 to draw the series. Despite winning South Africa's second Grand Slam, the Springbok tourists of 1931–32 were an unloved team, due to their tactics of kicking for territory. It
7564-674: The Varsity Cup and the Varsity Shield. The national championship is superseded by the international championship United Rugby Championship, which is played together with teams from Ireland and Wales, as well as two franchises each from Italy and Scotland. South Africa is represented by four franchises, which are managed by the SARU: the Bulls from Pretoria, the Lions from Johannesburg, the Sharks from Durban and
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#17328441386297688-493: The WRU's "biggest shirt partnership deal in its history". In 2017, Japanese motor company Isuzu replaced Admiral as the main sponsors of the Wales team's home shirts. Between 2017 & 2019 the sponsorship of the team's alternate shirt was taken on by Subaru as a result of both Subaru & Izuzu's UK imports being handled by IM Group. In October 2015, the WRU agreed a nine-year, £33 million extension to its contract with Under Armour, only for both parties to mutually terminate
7812-399: The annual Rugby Championship (formerly the Tri-Nations) , along with their Southern Hemisphere counterparts Argentina , Australia and New Zealand . They have won the Championship five times in 27 competitions and are the only team to have won a version of the competition and the Rugby World Cup in the same year. Rugby union is a highly popular sport in South Africa, often attracting
7936-413: The branding could have been viewed as "an invitation to 'try' Wales' best loved beer brand". In 2008, Under Armour replaced Reebok as Wales' kit manufacturer in a four-year deal worth £10 million. Welsh insurance company Admiral replaced Brains as the main shirt sponsors in 2010, signing a three-year contract. That deal was extended by two years in both in 2013 and 2015, with the latter described as
8060-415: The corresponding match two years later. The Brains deal was extended in June 2008 until September 2009, with "Brains SA" appearing on Wales home shirts and "SA Gold" appearing on the team's yellow change shirts. For the away match against France in February 2009, the "Brains SA" logo was replaced by the words "Try Essai"; "essai" is the French word for a try , but is also pronounced the same as "SA", meaning
8184-416: The country's most talented athletes. For nearly a century, South Africans have rallied behind the Springboks, the team's success has transcended the sport, becoming a symbol of national pride recognized even by those who don't follow rugby. Sixteen former Springboks and influential South Africans have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame . Many teams have suffered their biggest record defeats to
8308-454: The deal four years early in 2020. A new, seven-year contract with Italian company Macron was agreed in September 2020, believed to be worth around £30 million. In 2021 Cazoo replaced Izuzu as the shirt sponsor in a two-year deal, however Izuzu remained a partner of the WRU. In June 2023, Vodafone replaced Cazoo as the front of shirt sponsor (although it had already been present on the women's team's shirts since 2022), A month later it
8432-412: The decision, South African Friends of Israel said the South Africa Rugby Union "bent the knee to appease political extremists in South Africa who threatened to harm and incite violence should an Israeli team participate in the sport," and the South African Zionist Federation called the decision "an attack on our sportsmen and women in South Africa." The San Clemente Rhinos, which replaced Tel Aviv, issued
8556-401: The dive, but he later stated that the penalty had been given against Welsh lock Geoff Wheel for jumping off the shoulder of Oliver. Quittenton later said, "Haden's perception is that his dive secured the penalty. That is a load of rubbish". Wales then went on to win the 1979 Five Nations with a Triple Crown. In 1980, the WRU's centenary year, Wales lost 23–3 to New Zealand in Cardiff, with
8680-401: The early 1980s—all awarded Test status. In 1984, England toured losing both test matches; of the players selected, only Ralph Knibbs of Bristol refused to tour for political reasons. Due to the isolation from apartheid, from 1985 to 1991, South Africa did not play a single test match against an established country, although South Africa did play some matches against makeshift teams. In 1985,
8804-486: The economy: of their 42 matches, they won only 17, with three drawn. Half a million people emigrated from Wales to find work elsewhere during the depression; this included many Welsh rugby union internationals, who moved to the professional code of rugby league. Between 1923 and 1928, Wales managed only seven victories – five of them against France. However, even France managed to defeat Wales that decade, achieving their first victory in 1928. Welsh selection policy reflected
8928-636: The final game was a pointer to the future. In 1903 the British Isles lost a series for the first time in South Africa, drawing the opening two tests before losing the last 8–0. Rugby was given a huge boost by the early Lions tours, which created great interest in the South African press. South Africa would not lose another series—home or away—until 1956. The first South African team to tour the British Isles and France occurred during 1906–07. The team played tests against all four Home Nations . England managed
9052-587: The final test, and secured a 2–1 series win. On 5 December 2022, Warren Gatland was reappointed as head coach, following a review of Wayne Pivac and his performance in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series . The contract will see Gatland as head coach through to the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup , with the potential to extend an additional four years, through the 2027 Rugby World Cup . Gatland's initial coaching team included Alex King as attack coach, Mike Forshaw as defence coach, Jonathan Humphreys as forwards coach and Neil Jenkins as skills coach. Jonathan Thomas
9176-456: The first Five Nations. In 1911 , Wales took the first Five Nations Grand Slam , winning all their matches in the tournament. It would be nearly 40 years before they achieved a Grand Slam again. England's defeat of Wales at Cardiff in 1913 was Wales' first home loss to one of the Home Nations since 1899 , and their first home loss to England since 1895. The Great War came in 1914 and rugby
9300-483: The first time in 12 years, and after victories over Italy, France and Scotland, they faced Ireland in front of a capacity crowd at the Millennium Stadium where Wales' 32–20 victory gave them their first Championship since 1994. Later that year, they suffered a record home loss, 41–3 to New Zealand. Ruddock resigned as head coach midway through the 2006 Six Nations, where Wales finished fifth, and Gareth Jenkins
9424-488: The first time in 1996, and the Lions won their 1997 South African tour test series two games to one. Coach Andre Markgraaff was fired in 1997 due to a racist comment he made. The team suffered successive defeats in the Lions 1997 tour and the 1997 Tri Nations Series . In 1997, coach Nick Mallett coached South Africa's unbeaten 1997 tour of Europe , and in 1998 the Boks tied the then-existing record for longest test winning streak, winning 17 consecutive tests, including
9548-456: The first time, before almost doing the same the following year. The 1991 World Cup saw further frustration, when Wales were upset by Samoa in their opening match. A second group-stage loss, by 38–3 to Australia, eliminated Wales from the tournament. After winning two Five Nations games in 1992, and one in 1993, Wales won the Championship in 1994 on points difference. But without defeating one of Australia, New Zealand or South Africa during
9672-470: The first to South Africa since 1976, the Springboks were defeated 24–27 by New Zealand, and suffered a 3–26 loss to Australia the following month. South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup , with a surge of support for the Springboks among the white and black communities behind the slogan "one team, one country." This was the first major international sports event to be held in the Rainbow Nation . By
9796-597: The five (later four) regional sides became the top level of domestic professional rugby in the country. At the 2003 World Cup , Wales scored four tries in their 53–37 pool stage loss to New Zealand, before losing in the quarter-finals to the eventual tournament winners, England, despite outscoring them by three tries to one. Coached by Mike Ruddock , Wales won their first Grand Slam since 1978 and their first Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005 . A late long-range penalty from Gavin Henson gave them victory over England in Cardiff for
9920-507: The four component nations of the United Kingdom. Wales first won it in 1893, when they achieved a Triple Crown. Wales have won the tournament outright 28 times, and shared 12 other victories. Their longest wait between championships was 11 years (1994–2005). Wales first won a Grand Slam in 1908 – although France did not officially join the Five Nations until 1910 – and their first Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005. Their most recent Grand Slam
10044-409: The goal-line before the referee arrived. The referee awarded a scrum to Wales and the score remained unchanged; Wales won 3–0. The loss was New Zealand's only defeat on their 35-match tour. The post-First World War years marked a decline in Welsh rugby. An industrial recession struck the country, and hurt South Wales in particular. Welsh international results in the 1920s mirrored the performance of
10168-450: The grounds of public safety. The Lions team that toured South Africa in 1974 triumphed 3–0 (with one drawn) in the test series. A key feature was the Lions' infamous ' 99 call '. Lions management had decided that the Springboks dominated their opponents with physical aggression, so decided "to get their retaliation in first". At the call of '99' each Lions player would attack their nearest rival player. The "battle of Boet Erasmus Stadium "
10292-463: The growing pressure, the segregated South African rugby unions merged in 1977. A planned 1979 Springbok tour of France was blocked by the French government. The Lions toured South Africa in 1980 , losing the first three tests before winning the last one. The 1981 Springbok tour of New Zealand went ahead in defiance of the Gleneagles Agreement. South Africa lost the series 1–2. The tour and
10416-406: The inter-World Cup period, and again losing all four of their matches at the 1995 Five Nations Championship , Wales was not considered a major contender for the 1995 Rugby World Cup . At the 1995 World Cup, after comprehensively beating Japan, Wales lost to New Zealand; this meant that they needed to defeat Ireland to qualify for the quarter-finals. Wales lost 24–23 and so failed to progress beyond
10540-500: The last decade, though they fell short of winning the Grand Slam at the death of their final match against France in Paris. They faced Argentina in a two-match test series, in which they drew the opening game and Wales lost in the second game 33–11. That autumn, Wales opened with losses to New Zealand and South Africa before beating Fiji and Australia. Wales slumped to a fifth place finish in
10664-447: The majority of their tour matches. The Springboks secured easy victories in the first two tests. However, the Lions bounced back to record a win in the third test, for the first Lions win on South Africa soil since 1910. Danie Craven was appointed coach in 1949, and started his coaching career winning ten matches in a row, including a 4–0 whitewash of New Zealand on their 1949 tour to South Africa . The 1951–52 team that toured Europe
10788-478: The massive civil disruption in New Zealand had ramifications far beyond rugby. In 1981, Errol Tobias became the first non-white South African to represent his country when he took the field against Ireland. South Africa sought to counteract its sporting isolation by inviting the South American Jaguars to tour. The team contained mainly Argentinian players. Eight matches were played between the two teams in
10912-419: The match, New Zealand team performed a haka (a Māori posture dance); the 47,000-strong crowd responded with the Welsh national anthem – Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau ("Land of My Fathers") – the first time a national anthem had been sung before a sporting fixture. Wales wing Teddy Morgan scored a try to give Wales a 3–0 lead, before New Zealand's Bob Deans claimed to have scored a try, only to be dragged behind
11036-594: The new stadium began in September 1997, and was completed by June 1999, in time for the Rugby World Cup. The construction, which cost the WRU £126 million, was funded by private investment, £46 million of public funds from the National Lottery , the sale of debentures to supporters (offering guaranteed tickets in exchange for an interest-free loan), and loans. While the new ground was being built, Wales used
11160-557: The newly democratic South Africa hosted the tournament. Although South Africa was instrumental in creating the Rugby World Cup competition, the Springboks could not compete in the first two World Cups in 1987 and 1991 due to international anti-apartheid sporting boycotts . The Springboks' victory over the All Blacks 15–12 in the 1995 final is remembered as one of the greatest moments in South Africa's sporting history , and
11284-480: The old Wembley Stadium for their home matches – a deal reciprocated during construction of the new Wembley, when FA Cup finals were held at the Millennium Stadium. Wales compete annually in the Six Nations Championship, which is played against five other European nations: England, France, Ireland, Italy, and Scotland. The Six Nations started as the Home Nations Championship in 1883, as a contest between
11408-547: The only ones to win a series over New Zealand. In the 1972 Five Nations Championship , Wales and Scotland refused to travel to Ireland at the height of the Troubles after receiving threats, purportedly from the Irish Republican Army . The Championship remained unresolved with Wales and Ireland unbeaten. Although the Five Nations was a five-way tie in 1973, the Welsh did defeat Australia 24–0 in Cardiff. Wales next won
11532-456: The pool stage for the second time, and later that year Kevin Bowring replaced Alec Evans to become Wales' first full-time coach. Record defeats of 51–0 to France and 96–13 to South Africa, prompted the WRU to appoint New Zealander Graham Henry as coach in 1998. Henry had early success as coach, leading Wales to a 10-match winning streak; this included Wales' first victory over South Africa,
11656-493: The position for two weeks. They went on to top their pool at the 2019 Rugby World Cup , winning all their pool matches for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 1987, and ultimately reached the semi-finals before they were knocked out by eventual champions South Africa; Wales lost to New Zealand in the bronze final and finished fourth in the tournament. In July 2018, it was announced that then- Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac would succeed Gatland as Wales coach following
11780-674: The quarter-finals. They then faced hosts New Zealand, who won 49–6, but beat Australia in the third place play-off game to claim third. The next year Wales won the Triple Crown for the first time since 1979, but heavy defeats on tour to New Zealand later that year saw the end of a number of Welsh players' careers, as several converted to rugby league. Welsh rugby reached a nadir when Wales suffered their first Five Nations Championship whitewash; they had upset England in 1989 to avoid losing all their Championship matches that season, but in 1990, Wales were defeated in all four Five Nations' matches for
11904-566: The same numbered jersey during the 1995 Rugby World Cup . South African Rugby Union The South African Rugby Union ( SARU ) is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to World Rugby . It was established in 1992 as the South African Rugby Football Union, from the merger of the South African Rugby Board and the non-racial South African Rugby Union (SACOS) , and took up its current name in 2005. SARU organises several national teams, most notably
12028-405: The second test, which they lost 33–12, New Zealand fullback Fergie McCormick scored 24 points; a record at the time. In 1970, Wales shared the Five Nations with France, and recorded a 6–6 draw against South Africa in Cardiff. The following year, Wales recorded their first Five Nations Grand Slam since 1952. Using only 16 players in four games, the 1971 side achieved their most notable win of
12152-418: The second test. The 1955 British Lions tour to South Africa four-test series ended in a draw. In 1956, Springboks toured Australasia the All Blacks won its first series over the Springboks, in "the most bitterly fought series in history." When France toured South Africa in 1958 they were not expected to compete. France exceeded expectations and drew 3–3. The French then secured a Test series victory with
12276-686: The senior national side, the Springboks . SARU consists of 14 regional associations, each of which sends its own team to the Currie Cup, the oldest and most important league title in South Africa. In addition, the SuperSport Rugby Challenge takes place annually. In addition to the actual national team, the SARU also puts together other teams. The Junior Springboks are the U-20 national team and take part in
12400-417: The sport there. Wales played their first international match on 19 February 1881; organised by Newport's Richard Mullock and captained by James Bevan , they played against England, losing by seven goals, one drop goal and six tries to nil (82–0 in modern scoring values). On 12 March 1881, the Welsh Rugby Union was formed at The Castle Hotel, Neath . Two years later, the Home Nations Championship – now
12524-412: The team. South Africa was not permitted by the International Rugby Board to compete in the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup , nor in the following 1991 Rugby World Cup . Apartheid was abolished during 1990–91, and the Springboks were readmitted to international rugby in 1992. They struggled to return to their pre-isolation standards in their first games after readmission. During the 1992 All Blacks tour ,
12648-564: The test series 3–1. In the Springbok tour of Australia in 1971, the Springboks won all three tests. As in Britain three years before, however, massive anti-apartheid demonstrations greeted the team, and they had to be transported by the Royal Australian Air Force after the trade unions refused to service planes or trains transporting them. A planned tour of New Zealand for 1973 was blocked by New Zealand Prime Minister Norman Kirk on
12772-442: The time they hosted the 1995 World Cup, the Springboks, coached by Kitch Christie , were seeded ninth. They won their pool by defeating Australia, Romania , and Canada . Wins in the quarter-final against Western Samoa (42–14) and in the semi-final against France (19–15) sent the Springboks to the final. South Africa won the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final against the All Blacks 15–12 in extra-time. President Nelson Mandela , wearing
12896-451: The title until 1964 and did not win it outright until 1965. Wales conducted their first overseas tour in 1964 , playing several games and one test in South Africa. They lost the test against South Africa in Durban 24–3, their biggest defeat in 40 years. At the WRU annual general meeting that year, the outgoing WRU President D. Ewart Davies declared that "it was evident from the experience of
13020-400: The touring South Africans, despite dominating in the line-outs . They achieved another Grand Slam in 1952, followed by a 13–8 win over New Zealand in 1953. In 1954, St Helen's in Swansea (a Welsh international venue since 1882) hosted its last international and Cardiff Arms Park officially became the home of the Welsh team. In 1956, Wales again won the Five Nations, but they did not regain
13144-460: The tournament in their victory over Scotland; after a last-minute try by Gerald Davies that reduced Scotland's lead to 18–17, flanker John Taylor kicked a conversion from the sideline described as "the greatest conversion since St Paul " to give Wales a 19–18 win. Wales contributed more players than any other team to the British Lions side that toured New Zealand that year. Those Lions became
13268-409: The upheavals of the mid-1920s. In 1924, 35 different players were selected for Wales' four matches, with a different captain for each, and only Edward Watkins in the backs and Charlie Pugh in the forwards playing in all four matches. A resurgence of both economy and rugby union followed in the 1930s and, in 1931, Wales won their first championship for nine years. That year, for the first time since
13392-628: Was added as a contact area skills coach. In November 2024, Wales lost 24-19 to Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series . This was their tenth loss in a row, equalling a record set by head coach Steve Hansen from 2002-2003. It was also the first time Wales had ever lost to Fiji at the Millenium Stadium. A week later, they lost 52-20 to Australia at the Millennium Stadium, a record eleventh straight consecutive defeat. Wales play in red jerseys, white (or some times, black) shorts and red socks. For
13516-459: Was alleged by Free State Rugby Union president Harold Verster that Van Rooyen had offered a bribe of ZAR 3 million (US$ 485,000) plus a Springboks test against France to the Free State union in exchange for the union changing its vote in the presidential election in his favour. Hoskins announced that a planned investigation into Van Rooyen's administration would go forward. In June 2006 Van Rooyen
13640-498: Was announced that comparison site Go.Compare would become the first back of shirt sponsor of the team. The new Macron kits were launched toward the end of July (Just after the 2023 World cup shirts ) at which point it was also announced that player names would return to the back of the shirts, having previously been present between 2005 & 2008. Rugby union and Wales' national team hold an important place in Welsh culture and society. Sport historian John Bale has stated that "rugby
13764-418: Was appointed Coaching Organiser. The first national coach, David Nash , was appointed in 1967 to coach Wales for the season, but resigned when the WRU refused to allow him to accompany Wales on their 1968 tour of Argentina. Eventually, the WRU reversed their decision, appointing Clive Rowlands to tour as coach. Of the six matches, Wales won three, drew two and lost one. Wales enjoyed a second "golden age" in
13888-634: Was banned from serving in any capacity on the general council or committees of the South African Rugby Union. As for the Spears issue, the SARU Presidents' Council issued a recommendation on 24 March 2006 that SA Rugby revisit the decision to admit the Spears. On 19 April 2006, the decision to admit the Spears was officially overturned by SARU. South African Rugby Union disinvited the Israeli team
14012-478: Was billed as "The World Championship of Rugby". The All Blacks won the first Test 13–5, The Springboks recovered to win the second Test 9–5, and the final Test was drawn 0–0, resulting in a series draw. The 1924 British Lions team lost three of the four Tests to the Springboks, drawing the other. This was the first side to pick up the name Lions, apparently picked up from the Lions embroidered on their ties. The All Blacks first toured South Africa in 1928 , and again
14136-431: Was considered amongst the finest Springbok sides to tour. The team won the Grand Slam as well as defeating France. Hennie Muller captained the side. The South African highlight of the tour was a 44–0 defeat of Scotland. The team finished with only one loss, to London Counties, from 31 matches. In 1953, Australia toured South Africa for the second time and although they lost the series, they defeated South Africa 18–14 in
14260-431: Was eventually appointed as his replacement. Jenkins led Wales through the 2007 World Cup , where they failed to advance beyond the pool stage after losing their final game 38–34 to Fiji, thanks to a Graham Dewes try. Jenkins subsequently lost his job, and Warren Gatland , a New Zealander, was appointed as his successor. Wales faced England at Twickenham for Gatland's inaugural match as coach and their first match of
14384-409: Was generally opposed by the existing Super 12/14 sides. The South African government attempted to step in to address perceived problems within Van Rooyen's administration, but he survived two years of attempts to oust him. Finally, at the February 2006 SARU General Meeting, Van Rooyen was voted out. Oregan Hoskins, who promised a more decentralised management style, was voted in. After the election, it
14508-532: Was known, was officially opened in 1970. Since 1999, Wales have played all their home matches at the 74,500-capacity Millennium Stadium , Cardiff, which is also Wales' national stadium. The Millennium Stadium was first conceived in 1994, when a group redevelopment committee was set up. It was decided to replace the National Stadium at Cardiff Arms Park after a review found it was out of date; new legislation also required stadia to be all-seated. Construction of
14632-548: Was one of the most violent matches in rugby history. The 1976 All Blacks tour of South Africa went ahead, and the Springboks won by three Tests to one, but coming shortly after the Soweto riots the tour attracted international condemnation. Twenty-eight countries boycotted the 1976 Summer Olympics in protest, and in 1977 the Gleneagles Agreement discouraged any Commonwealth sporting contact with South Africa. In response to
14756-452: Was successful however, winning against England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as defeating all their Welsh opponents for the first time. In 1933, Australia toured South Africa , with the Springboks winning the series 3–2. In 1937 South Africa toured New Zealand and Australia and their 2–1 series win prompted them to be called "the best team to ever leave New Zealand". The British Isles toured South Africa again in 1938 , winning
14880-410: Was suspended for the duration. When Wales faced New Zealand at Cardiff Arms Park in late 1905, they had not lost at home since 1899. This New Zealand team – referred to as The Original All Blacks – was the first of the southern hemisphere national teams to visit the British Isles, and were undefeated on their tour up to that point, having already beaten England, Ireland and Scotland. Before
15004-617: Was the allocation of venues for the Springboks home test matches. The KwaZulu-Natal Union and the Free State Union did not receive a Tri Nations Test in 2005 or 2006. Both unions, vocal opponents of Van Rooyen, accused him of punishing them for their opposition. However, the biggest bone of contention surrounded the expansion of the Super Rugby competition. SANZAR , a consortium of the South African, Australian, and New Zealand governing bodies, expanded their Super 12 competition to 14 teams,
15128-480: Was the first time Wales had not played in their red jersey against one of their traditional rivals. In 1992, the Welsh Rugby Union agreed a deal with Cotton Traders to produce the national team's kits. They were replaced in 1996 by Reebok , whose contract with the Welsh Rugby Union was worth £1.3 million in 1999. Wales received the first jersey sponsor in their history in 2000, when Redstone Telecoms agreed
15252-436: Was the first to include representatives from all four Home unions. The tourists won just one of their three tests. The Boks' second European tour took place in 1912–13. They beat the four Home nations to earn their first Grand Slam , and also defeated France. By the first World War , New Zealand and South Africa had established themselves as rugby's two greatest powers. A Springbok tour to New Zealand and Australia in 1921
15376-478: Was won in 2019 with victory over Ireland on the final day of the Six Nations tournament. Their most recent Triple Crown was won in 2021 with victory over England in the third round of the Six Nations tournament. In 2024 Wales received the wooden spoon after 21 years. Wales have contested every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987. The 1987 tournament was Wales' most successful; they won all three pool matches and their quarter-final, before losing to
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