Factfile: South Africa v Wales
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 13 November 2010
Saturday’s Test match will be the 25th between Wales and South Africa. The Springboks were unbeaten in 12 consecutive tests in this fixture between 1906 and 1998 with 11 wins and one draw (in 1970).
The Springbok’s only loss against Wales came in 1999 when Gary Teichmann’s team lost 29-19 in the first Test match at the new Millennium Stadium. South Africa have won 11 consecutive Tests against Wales since 1999.
South Africa’s overall record against Wales is: Played 24; Won 22; Lost 1; Drawn 1; Points for 669; Points against 326; Tries for 85; Tries against 28; Average score 28-14.
South Africa’s record against Wales at this venue (including matches played at the Cardiff Arms Park) is Played 14; Won 12; Lost 1; Drawn 1; Points for 276; Points against 193; Tries for 32; Tries against 15; Average score 20-14.
Milestones
Victor Matfield will become the most capped Springbok of all time, winning his 103rd cap.
Matfield will also join Percy Montgomery and John Smit as the most capped players against Wales with 9 Test caps.
Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha will extend their World Record of most Tests as a lock combination in the starting line-up to 58.
Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis will play their 12th Test match together; the most by a set of brothers in Springbok Rugby.
Record watch
Bryan Habana needs one try to become South Africa’s most prolific try scorer in Tests. Habana currently shares the record with Joost van der Westhuizen on 38 Test tries.
Should Jean de Villiers score a try, he will equal Joost van der Westhuizen’s record of 6 career tries against Wales. He will also equal Jaque Fourie’s record as the most capped Springbok centre – 51.
Should Juan Smith score a try, he will equal Schalk Burger’s record of 12 tries in tests as a flank.
CJ van der Linde needs one try to join three other Springboks (Chris Koch, Os du Randt and Gurthrö Steenkamp) as the top try scorer for a prop in tests.
Bismarck du Plessis needs one try to become the sole record holder for most tries in tests by a hooker. He is currently level with James Dalton on 5 career tries.
Match records in Tests between Wales and South Africa
Wales
Biggest win – 10 (29-19) in Cardiff, 1999
Most points – 36 in Cardiff, 2004
Most tries – 3 in Cardiff, 2004 and again in Cardiff, 2010
Most conversions – 3 in Cardiff, 2004
Most penalty goals – 5 on five occasions
Most drop goals – 1 in Bloemfontein, 2002 and again in Cardiff, 2010
Most points by a player – 21 – SM Jones in Cardiff, 2004
Most tries by a player – 2 – GL Henson in Cardiff, 2004
Most conversions by a player – 3 – SM Jones in Cardiff, 2004
Most penalty goals by a player – 5 – NR Jenkins on 3 occasions (Cardiff, 1996; Wembley, 1998 and Cardiff, 1999) and SM Jones in Cardiff, 2004
Most drop goals by a player – 1 – SM Jones in Bloemfontein, 2002 and JW Hook in Cardiff, 2010
South Africa
Biggest win – 83 (96-13) in Pretoria, 1998
Most points – 96 in Pretoria, 1998
Most tries – 15 in Pretoria, 1998
Most conversions – 9 in Pretoria, 1998
Most penalty goals – 5 in Bloemfontein, 2008 and again in Cardiff, 2010
Most drop goals – 1 in Cardiff, 1951 and again in Durban, 1964
Most points by a player – 31 – PC Montgomery in Pretoria, 1998
Most tries by a player – 3 – JH van der Westhuizen in Cardiff, 1996 and PWG Rossouw in Pretoria, 1998
Most conversions by a player – 9 – PC Montgomery in Pretoria, 1998
Most penalty goals by a player – 5 – AD James in Bloemfontein, 2008
Most drop goals by a player – 1 – JD Brewis in Cardiff, 1951 and LG Wilson in Durban, 1964
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