Wales’ upcoming encounter with South Africa next month has been confirmed to be aired live for free on S4C, the broadcasting network. Warren Gatland’s team will face off against the reigning world champions at Twickenham on June 22, followed by two Test matches in Australia on July 6 and July 13.
S4C has exclusively secured coverage rights for the showdown with the Springboks, with highlights of the two Australia matches also scheduled for broadcast on the channel. Furthermore, S4C will present live coverage of Wales Women’s crucial match against Spain on June 29, as Ioan Cunningham’s squad aims to secure qualification for the WXV2 tournament in South Africa later this year.
The coverage of the South Africa fixture, available on S4C, S4C Clic, and BBC iPlayer, will be led by Sarra Elgan, while Lauren Jenkins will host the highlights of the Australia tests. Providing commentary for all three matches are Gareth Charles, former Wales captain Gwyn Jones, and former Wales Women’s star Sioned Harries.
“I’ve never been to Australia for a rugby series before and I’m looking forward to bringing all the excitement from the series to viewers at home,” remarked Jenkins. “There will be plenty of excitement from the Wallabies’ point of view now that one of the game’s best minds, Joe Schmidt, is at the helm.
“Although Gatland has beaten Australia in two World Cups in a row and enjoyed success there with the Lions, I predict that this will be one of his biggest challenges against his old enemy. But what an opportunity for some of the young Welsh players to establish themselves as part of the team’s new age.”
Meanwhile, Charles expressed, “It was great to see crowds flocking to watch the women’s 6 Nations matches recently, and Ioan Cunningham’s squad will be hoping to build on this momentum when they face Spain in their next challenge. I’m looking forward to the Wales’ summer series, especially after a terrible 6 Nations campaign for the men’s team. It will be a strange experience playing at Twickenham in a home game for South Africa, knowing that so many Springboks supporters live in London, and it will be a major test against the world champions.
“The Wales performance against Australia at the World Cup was the best performance by Wales under Warren Gatland’s second tenure,” he added. “But with Joe Schmidt now coaching the Wallabies, it should be interesting to see where both countries are at now.”
