Wales players blown away by Steve Tandy change as Springboks identify Welsh threat
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Here are your rugby morning headlines for Thursday, November 27.
Dyer: Tandy has given Wales new lease of life
Wales wing Rio Dyer says Steve Tandy has given the squad a new lease of life since replacing Warren Gatland as head coach.
This is Tandy’s first campaign as Wales boss but they have only won once against Japan with heavy defeats against both Argentina and New Zealand.
But there has been some green shoots of improvement and Dyer is confident Wales can kick on under Tandy.
“It’s been brilliant,” said the Wales wing. “It has been a new lease of life and something different.
“If you continue doing the same thing you’ll get the same results. They’ve brought in a great presence and positivity and outlook on it.
“They are proud Welshmen and I think that’s a huge thing, not only for us as players but for the country who are watching.
“They want the pride to be shown on the pitch, not only in the squad. Having them coming in has definitely shown that.”
Wales’ attack has been much improved and Dyer credits that with Tandy’s assistant coach Matt Sherratt.
“It is amazing seeing all the boys out on the wing can score the tries they score,” he said.
“That’s definitely something Sherratt has brought in just to get the ball wide and try to play a more elusive game of rugby.
“On top of that there’s some things that aren’t flashy you don’t see like the kick chases, the footwork around the race game and those extra efforts that don’t get picked up like the tries do but make a huge impact on the game.”
Springboks wary of ‘quality’ Wales front-row
The Springboks may be overwhelming favourites heading into Saturday’s Test, but their coaching team insist Wales deserve far more respect than the outside noise suggests.
Wales host the world champions at the Principality Stadium in what many have labelled a complete mismatch. South Africa sit top of the World Rugby rankings and have claimed 12 wins from 14 matches this year, including landmark victories over New Zealand in Wellington, France in Paris with 14 men, and Ireland in Dublin last weekend.
Wales, meanwhile, have endured a torrid run with eight defeats in 10 outings and a Six Nations whitewash. Their only wins in recent months came against Japan, whom they have faced three times in the last few months.
Both sides have been hit hard by unavailability this week, with the fixture falling outside World Rugby’s official window. The Springboks have released a host of stars back to their franchises, while Wales are missing 13 players based outside the country. What had looked like a potential advantage for Wales has effectively cancelled itself out.
Despite that, South Africa scrum coach Daan Human rejected the idea that his side should stroll to victory – and singled out the Welsh front row as a real threat.
“I don’t believe in favourites tags. It doesn’t help a team,” Human said. “You must have respect for the opposition, so we’ll do our best to prepare as well as we can for this match.
“Wales have quality players, especially their starting front row. In general, they have guys who can really perform and some with a lot of experience, which is quite similar to our team.”
Wales’ front row has performed well this autumn, with Keiron Assiratti perhaps the surprise package and Dewi Lake leading the side well, Gareth Thomas joins them this weekend, with Rhys Carre and Nicky Smith both unavailable.
South Africa’s so-called ‘fringe’ players have already proved their strength this year, comfortably beating a full-strength Italy despite playing 68 minutes with 14 men. Another win in Cardiff would complete back-to-back unbeaten European tours after victories over Scotland, England and Wales in 2024, and Japan, France, Italy and Ireland this year.
Human insists the Boks are not focussed on records but simply finishing the campaign with the standards they expect of themselves.
“We set goals at the beginning of the year, and there’s only one game left, so it would be a great achievement if we can get it right,” he added. “But we don’t think about records or being unbeaten – we simply focus on the next game.”
Tom Curry ‘bully’ claim ‘laughable’ as Sale boss hits back
Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson has dismissed as “laughable” Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi’s accusation that England flanker Tom Curry is a “bully”.
Contepomi made the allegation after England’s 27-23 win over the Pumas at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, also claiming Curry swore at him and pushed him in the tunnel.
Curry, 27, remains available for Sale’s Premiership clash with Exeter on Friday, with Sanderson saying he is not aware of any disciplinary action that would sideline the back-rower.
Asked directly about the tunnel incident, Sanderson initially said he had “no intention of giving it any air time”.
Pressed further on the “bully” comment, he added: “Only a laughable one. It is ridiculous in the context of the man that he is.”
Curry was this week named in World Rugby’s XV Dream Team of 2025, and Sanderson confirmed the squad marked the achievement with their teammate.
“After a career-threatening injury and a broken wrist, to get back to those heights is no mean feat,” he said. “It shows the kind of character he is. A true competitor.”
Ireland star banned after South Africa red
Ireland lock James Ryan has been handed a three-match ban after his dangerous clear-out on Malcolm Marx saw his yellow card upgraded to a 20-minute red during the defeat to South Africa in Dublin.
Ryan was initially sent to the sin bin in the 20th minute after charging into a ruck without binding, a challenge that also ruled out Tadhg Beirne’s early try.
Referee Matthew Carley referred the incident to the Foul Play Review Officer, who upgraded it to a red card under World Rugby’s new framework. Ireland went on to lose 24-13 at the Aviva Stadium.
Ryan faced an independent disciplinary committee this week, which upheld the red card and ruled that the offence met the mid-range entry point under Law 9.20(a) – dangerous play in a ruck or maul – carrying a six-week sanction.
However, the Leinster forward received the maximum 50% mitigation for accepting the decision, a clean disciplinary record and other factors, reducing the ban to three matches. Ryan may cut that to two if he completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme, designed to address technical flaws that contributed to the foul play.
The suspension covers:
- 28 November – Dragons v Leinster (URC)
- 6 December – Leinster v Harlequins (Champions Cup)
- 12 December – Leicester Tigers v Leinster (Champions Cup)*
*This match may be removed from the sanction if Ryan completes the coaching intervention.
The disciplinary panel comprised Wang Shao-ing (chair, Singapore), Bogdan Zebega (Romania) and Val Toma (Romania).
England wing faces Six Nations injury race after freak toe break
England wing Tom Roebuck is facing a race against time to be fit for the start of the Six Nations after suffering a serious toe injury that will keep him out for up to 10 weeks.
The 24-year-old picked up the knock during England’s win over New Zealand, with scans later confirming a fractured sesamoid bone.
“I’d say I broke my toe, but it’s a bit embarrassing to say it,” Roebuck admitted. “The two bones in my sesamoid have basically split apart. It’s a pretty tough one.”
Roebuck explained the injury came from a “freak incident” just before half-time.
“I got tackled, my foot stayed in the ground and I went over on it. The bone just went. We didn’t realise how bad it was until the next day when it went purple and the scan showed it had snapped.”
A specialist has ruled out surgery, but Roebuck is expected to miss 8-10 weeks of action. It’s a major blow for the Sale wing, who impressed during the autumn Tests against Australia and the All Blacks.
He is currently wearing a protective boot but is doing everything possible to make England’s Six Nations training camp ahead of the opener against Wales on February 7.
“We want to be pushing for January,” he said. “We’re looking at every option — hyperbaric chambers, red-light therapy — the small things that could have a big impact.
“Playing for England was so special for me, so for it to be cut short was heartbreaking. But every player gets injured at some point. I just want to make sure I’m ready for whatever comes next.”
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