Springboks complete unbeaten tour after handing Wales 12th straight loss

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — World champion South Africa achieved its first undefeated rugby tour of Europe in 11 years and dealt Wales a record-extending 12th straight loss as expected on Saturday.

The Springboks started as 30-point favorites and exceeded that in winning 45-12, but their score was not as high as feared by Welsh fans.

A Wales team with far less experience, size, power and X-factor restricted the Springboks to seven tries by making 215 tackles, even though they missed 46. Wales also showed character to keep fighting and end both halves with tries that prevented South Africa from collecting the biggest win by margin against Wales in Cardiff.

Even so, Wales finished a calendar year without a win for the first time since 1937, when it played only three games.

South Africa bookended a sensational post-World Cup year with wins over Wales — 41-13 in June at Twickenham — 11 wins overall in 13 tests, the two losses by one point each. It also won in Scotland and England this month.