Wales Women made it back-to-back wins in the space of just six days as Carys Phillips scored a stunning hat-trick in a 29-19 victory over South Africa at Cardiff Arms Park.
Less than a week after starting their autumn campaign with a 23-5 success over Japan, Wales backed up that result with an impressive display against the southern hemisphere giants.
Hooker Phillips scored a fine treble and benefitted from her team’s forward dominance while scrum-half Ffion Lewis also crossed.
Elinor Snowsill kicked three conversions and a penalty as Ioan Cunningham’s side stayed unbeaten this autumn.
Wales made a fine start.
Bethan Lewis made a clean line break, the home scrum was more than solid, and the opening try came when recalled Phillips was driven over from a powerful driving maul. Snowsill converted and it soon got even better.
Wales’s men’s side had struggled at the scrum against South Africa last weekend, but their women were faring far better. From another dominant set-piece, Lewis went over. Snowsill couldn’t miss.
Wales played some fine first-half rugby. Their breakdown work wasn’t perfect, but they moved the ball well although it must be said South Africa offered very little to the game.
The visitors were struggling to such an extent that loosehead prop Yonela Ngxingolo was substituted before half an hour was played.
It didn’t stop more Welsh forward dominance from giving Snowsill the chance to kick a simple penalty. Wales went to the break 17-0 to the good.
South Africa captain Nolusindiso Booi escaped a card for a dangerous clear out before the break on Wales wing Courtney Keight.
Keight failed a head injury assessment at half time after the collision and didn’t return to the field.
South Africa also lost Sinazo Mcatshulwa who left the field on a stretcher. Wales’s third try arrived when Phillips was again driven over.
Snowsill’s kick hit the post and South Africa, who had been appalling for the first 50 minutes, then hit back when wing Nomawethu Mabenge powered over in the corner.
The conversion was impressive. South Africa had finally offered a threat, but their comeback attempt was halted by a yellow card for replacement Unam Tose for a high tackle.
Phillips completed her treble not long after and while Zintle Mpupha and Libbie Janse van Rensburg grabbed breakaway South African consolations, Wales were deserving winners.
