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International Round-Up: 15 Blue and Blacks wear the red of Wales

International | 4th July 2022


A total of 15 Blue and Black stars were involved in international action across three countries over the course of the weekend. Here's how they got on.

South Africa 32 Wales 29

Seven Cardiff players were named in Wayne Pivac's matchday squad for the first of three Test matches against South Africa.

Wales got off to a flying start against the world champions in front of the sold out Pretoria crowd, with Louis Rees-Zammit pouncing for the opening score after only two minutes of play.

Incoming Cardiff full back Liam Williams provided the assist for the Gloucester wing, showing his ability to execute skill under pressure, while the performances of Taulupe Faletau and Dillon Lewis also drew plaudits from supporters and the media.

Josh Adams and Tomos Williams both returned to action, having missed out on the latter stages of the season with injuries, with Rhys Carré and Josh Navidi also involved, coming off the bench in the second half at Loftus Versfeld.

Former Cardiff age grade wing, Rees-Zammit, secured his brace before the interval, with Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake also registering on the scoresheet.

However, the Springboks ultimately powered their way to victory as the penalty count took it's toll against Pivac's men. They were reduced to 12 men for a period in the second half, and Damien Willemse ultimately slotted the match-winning penalty with the final act of the game to break Welsh hearts.

The men in red will take confidence from the performance in Pretoria ahead of the second Test in Johannesburg this week. The match will be shown live in the Cardiff Arms Park clubhouse on Saturday.

Wales U20 30 Georgia U20 24

Wales' under-20 side managed to withhold an impressive Georgian outfit to claim their second victory of the Six Nations Summer Series on Thursday.

Academy product Ethan Fackrell - who joins RGC this summer - played his part as Dan Edwards put Wales ahead in the early stages, but the lead was short-lived as the determined Georgians replied through Giorgi Maisuradze's converted score.

The back-and-forth nature continued throughout the half, and it was Georgia who took in a 21-13 lead into the break.

Mackenzie Martin and Efan Daniel both came off the bench in the second half, as Byron Hayward wrestled to victory, with captain Joe Hawkins playing a crucial role in their fight back.

Georgia, who had impressed with their set piece all afternoon, had a final attack in the dying moments but hopes of a dramatic victory was quashed when Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins stole a line-out on his own five meter line to secure the win.

The final pool stage clash sees Wales taking on Italy on Wednesday.

Wales 7s - Rugby Europe 7s, Krakow

Cardiff under-18 captain Gwennan Hopkins made her senior Wales Sevens debut as the Rugby Europe circuit travelled to Krakow over the weekend.

Hosts Poland finished top of the pile at the end of the weekend, lifting the Rugby Europe 7s trophy for the first time, but Wales remained winless despite a spirited performance against France in particular.