Jordan Hendrikse scored his first Test try as the Springboks switched on in style to beat Wales in Cardiff and end the 2024 campaign on a high note.
Jordan Hendrikse, in his second Test start and first alongside his brother, scored 15 points to help the Springboks to a 45-12 win over desperate Wales on Saturday night.
🙌 “Speed of thought and lovely hands”
🇿🇦 @Springboks Show your class and spend 7pm!#AutumnNationsSeries | #WALvRSA pic.twitter.com/JckNkdqtAL
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyntnt) November 23, 2024
It was South Africa’s 11th win in 13 Tests in 2024 and capped a very successful campaign that strengthened the Boks’ status as world champions.
It was the 12th successive defeat for Wales, who fought valiantly to prevent a runway scoreline in the second half, and Warren Gatland’s side became the first team in their professional history to go all year without a win.
There were ominous signs from the start when Bok locks Franco Mostert and Eben Etzebeth raced in for the opening try in the first 10 minutes.
The Boks never gave up in the first half, forcing Wales into more than three times their tackle volume, dominating possession and territory and breaking down the Dragons in the scrums.
Arendse showed a clean heel to add Wales to the team he scored by heading inside before Elrigh Louw was forced out for his first Test try.
The scoreline could have been bigger than the 26-5 lead the Boks had at half-time as Kolisi and Aphelele Fassi blocked the tryline and Jordan Hendrikse knocked in after almost latching on to brother Jaden’s chip kick.
A tougher second half saw the Springboks struggle to play with the same precision and intensity as the first half, but Arendse restored normal service by brilliantly drawing the attention of two Welsh defenders before sending Fassi free down the left wing.
🔥 Something special from nothing!
🇿🇦 @Springboks The back three is shining in Cardiff!#AutumnNationsSeries | #WALvRSA pic.twitter.com/7T8W89EpUe
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyntnt) November 23, 2024
There was still time for Gerhard Steenekamp to open his try-scoring account and Jordan Hendrikse rushed in to mark the second Test as a try.
Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
