Thrilling Clash in Cardiff: Arendse Shines as South Africa Triumphs Over Wales
Rewritten Article:
Rugby-Mashers! The Springboks slammed the brakes on Wales with a 45-12 thrashing at the Principality Stadium, completing their first end-of-year clean sweep since 2013, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
From the get-go, the world champs dominated, with a string of four unanswered tries. Wales scratched for some attacking territory after 36 minutes, managing a try right before the break, trailing 26-5.
In the second half, the Springboks kept control, but a higher gear shift was expected. They had to wait 14 minutes for the next points, followed by two more tries, while Wales netted a consolation score.
Top 3 Springbok Heroes:
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Kurt-Lee Arendse
Arendse demonstrated his multifaceted brilliance in a stellar game that included a try and two assists. Yes, he's a prolific finisher—like his effortless step over Blair Murray against the Dragons and his 18th try for the Boks. But he's also a creator, showcased by his setup of Eben Etzebeth and Aphelele Fassi. His fullback assist was a thing of class and grace.
Wales' defense struggled against his relentless attacking prowess, with his early second-half break being one of five outstanding five-line bursts. On defense, he remained committed, making a significant tackle on Josh Hathaway, and was remarkable in the air.
Franco Mostert
Mostert's tireless performance was reminiscent of the Rolling Stones hit, 'Start Me Up.' The seasoned second-rower ran an impressive line to score the opening try, and his 15 carries and 12 tackles in a brief return from injury impressed.
Jasper Wiese
Wiese wrapped up the season with a sterling performance, particularly after missing the start due to suspension. He was relentless, wearing down the Welsh with aggressive runs and bone-crushing cleanouts. His match-high 19 carries and rugged defense, mirroring Duane Vermeulen, stole the show.
Rugby Re-Run
In 2021, the Springboks, inspired by captain Siya Kolisi, kept their rugby bogey team, Wales, at bay, thanks to a famous win. The core of the Springboks squad in 2021 was a formidable lineup, featuring Pieter-Steph du Toit, Damian de Allende, and Jesse Kriel, among others. But the game against Wales isn't fully documented, leaving us to celebrate the achievements of Arendse, Mostert, and Wiese in this epic victory.
Quintin Van Jaarsveld, a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year (2019) and a three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year (2013, 2014, and 2015), provides sports coverage for various publications. Boasting over 15 years of experience, he has covered sports for The Fever Media Group, eHowzit, SARugby.com, and Rugby365.com, among others.
- Bettors can place their predictions on the upcoming rugby matches, with the Springboks being a strong contender following their 45-12 victory over Wales.
- Kurt-Lee Arendse, one of the Springboks' top heroes, showcased his versatile skills in the rugby match, scoring a try and providing two assists.
- Franco Mostert, another Springbok standout, demonstrated his enduring performance with a try and a tireless 15 carries, along with 12 tackles during the game.
- Jasper Wiese completed the season on a high note, delivering a notable performance after his brief return from suspension, making a match-high 19 carries and exhibiting rugged defense.
- Quintin van Jaarsveld, a renowned sports journalist, provided coverage of the Springboks' impressive victory over Wales, a game that has not been fully documented yet.
- Despite Wales being a significant challenge for the Springboks in 2021, the team managed to keep them at bay, thanks to the efforts of players like Pieter-Steph du Toit, Damian de Allende, and Jesse Kriel, among others.
