South Africa v Wales, Rugby World Cup, September 11
History books hold no fear for Springboks
ESPNscrum Staff
September 5, 2011
South Africa celebrate victory while Wales lament defeat, Wales v South Africa, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, November 13, 2010
South Africa celebrate another comeback win over Wales in November 2010 © Getty Images
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Teams: South Africa | Wales

Reigning Rugby World Cup champions South Africa kick-off the defence of their title against Wales in Wellington on September 11, with the history books very much in their favour.

The Welsh have a dismal record against the Springboks, having registered just one victory from their 25 previous meetings, with 23 games going the way of the Boks - including two in 2010 - and the other game drawn.

Wales' solitary win came in the game that marked the official opening of the Millennium Stadium, with tries from Mark Taylor and Gareth Thomas, and 19 points from the boot of Neil Jenkins, helping the hosts to an impressive 29-19 victory.

In 2010 Wales twice lost big leads to slip to familiar defeats, losing out 34-31 in a one-off meeting in June before George North's debut heroics were extinguished with a 29-25 loss in November.

Wales are yet to progress further than the last four in any Rugby World Cup - their one semi-final appearance coming in 1987 - and they slipped out at the Pool stages four years ago,while the Springboks wrapped up their second title with victory over England at the Stade de France.

Wales v South Africa All-time record: Played: 25, Wales won 1, South Africa won 23, drawn 1.

Biggest winning margin: Wal: 10, 29-19 at Millennium Stadium, 1999; SA: 83, 96-13 at Loftus Versfeld, 1998.

Highest score: Wal: 36 (36-38) at Millennium Stadium, 2004; SA: 96 (96-13) at Loftus Versfeld, 1998.

Most tries: Wal: 3 (36-38) at Millennium Stadium, 2004; (31-34) at Millennium Stadium, 2010 and (25-29) at Millennium Stadium, 2010; SA: 15 (96-13) at Loftus Versfeld, 1998.

Longest winning sequence: Wal: 1 (1999-00); SA: 12 (2000-present day).

Most points (individual): Wal: Stephen Jones 83; SA: Percy Montgomery 91.

Most tries (individual): Wal: 3 Shane Williams; SA: 6 Joost van der Westhuizen.

Most points in a Test: Wal: 21 Stephen Jones at Millennium Stadium, 2004; SA: 31 Percy Montgomery at Loftus Versfeld, 1998.

Previous Rugby World Cup meetings:: None.

  • Click here for Wales' full Test record courtesy of Statsguru

  • Click here for South Africa's Test record courtesy of Statsguru

  • Click here for a record of all Wales v South Africa matches courtesy of Statsguru

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