Cardiff Met connections shine as Wales storm to South Africa victory

Cardiff Met’s influence on the international stage was on full display as Wales produced a stunning 50-19 victory over South Africa at Cardiff Arms Park, with current students and former Archers making their mark throughout a memorable night for Welsh rugby.

Seven players with Cardiff Met connections featured in the Wales matchday squad, with Amy Williams, Freya Bell, Maisie Davies and Elan Jones joined by former students Seren Singleton, Gwen Crabb and co-captain Alex Callender.

For Williams, the night carried extra significance as the Cardiff Met student made her official senior Wales debut.

The 21-year-old started on the wing after impressing for Wales in their uncapped victory over the Barbarians earlier this summer, when she crossed for two tries at Twickenham.

This time, she walked out at Cardiff Arms Park for her first Test cap and helped Wales end a run of nine matches without a victory in emphatic fashion.

“It’s class. It’s a dream come true,” Williams told BBC Sport after the match.

“Getting my first cap and then to get a win on top, what more could I want really?

“I think it shows that all the hard work we’re putting in is paying off. Sticking to our processes is showing that it works. The girls were wicked, especially our forwards. They were class and gave us the platform to play off.”

Williams was involved in two of Wales’ eight tries. Her chase of a Lisa Neumann kick helped create the opportunity for Seren Lockwood to score during a dominant first half, while she later kept the ball alive in the build-up to Callender’s late try.

And Williams was far from the only Archer connection to make an impact.

Freya Bell, another Cardiff Met student, started in the Wales midfield and kicked five conversions for a personal haul of 10 points. Bell’s rise through the international pathway has followed an outstanding period at Cardiff Met, including playing a key role in the University’s historic BUCS Super Rugby Championship success.

Maisie Davies also enjoyed a landmark evening. The former BUCS Team of the Season prop crossed for her first senior international try as Wales secured the bonus point during a remarkable opening 40 minutes.

Current Cardiff Met student Elan Jones then came from the bench to earn her first Wales cap, adding another significant moment for the University’s women’s rugby programme.

Former Archer Seren Singleton started on the opposite wing to Williams, while Cardiff Met alumna Gwen Crabb was also introduced from the bench.

Callender completed the Cardiff Met contribution in style. The former student and Wales co-captain was named Player of the Match before scoring the final try of the evening to take Wales to 50 points.

Wales had built an extraordinary 38-5 advantage by half-time before eventually running in eight tries through Courtney Keight, Sisilia Tuipulotu twice, Lockwood, Davies, Kelsey Jones, Neumann and Callender. The result brought an end to a nine-Test losing run and provided the perfect start to their WXV Global Series campaign.

For Williams, however, one of the most special parts of the night was being able to experience it alongside familiar faces.

“I’m really grateful to have been given the opportunity and to be able to play with my mates as well, like Freya and Seren,” she said.

“It’s a dream come true.

“My nan and grandpa were watching at home and they’re my biggest fans, so it’s just class that they can see me play and do what I love.”

From first caps for Williams and Jones, to a first international try for Davies, 10 points from Bell and a Player of the Match performance from Callender, it was a night when Cardiff Met connections could be found right across a landmark Welsh victory.