Rees-Zammit finishes as Wales edge Japan 28-21 in Nations Championship

Louis Rees-Zammit rounded off a bonus-point 28-21 Nations Championship victory for Wales over Japan on 7 November 2026. Josh Adams scored two tries in the match.

The result was Wales’ third win in five Tests and an improvement on the 18-match losing streak that followed the 2023 World Cup. The performance offered little comfort, with a lacklustre display prompting the observation that there will be much for their coach, Steve Tandy, to ponder after the game.

Josh Adams crossed twice and prop Archie Griffin also scored for Wales, while Louis Rees-Zammit finished the scoring to secure the bonus point for the home side. The win provided points but did not mask inconsistencies in the team’s play.

Wales struggled particularly at the set-piece and the overall standard of the match was described as lacking quality. Those technical deficiencies were noted despite the final scoreline favouring the hosts.

Japan showed energy and tenacity in defence but, especially in the second half, found it difficult to get into the home side’s 22. Tries from flanker Ben Gunter, lock Warner Dearns and replacement scrum-half Kenta Fukuda kept Japan in the contest.

In a separate Nations Championship fixture, South Africa defeated an injury-hit Italy 66-7 in Turin. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored the first of nine Springbok tries and added another 21 points from a perfect kicking display as South Africa ran in six tries in an utterly dominant opening half.

Hooker Malcolm Marx went over twice, joining Morne van den Berg, captain Siya Kolisi, Damian Willemse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu among the scorers; Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked all six conversions and had opened the scoring with a penalty. Wilco Louw added a try after the break, Federico Ruzza crossed for Italy with Tommaso Allan converting, and Springbok wing Ethan Hooker finished the scoring on the stroke of full-time.

Wales will bank the win but face tougher challenges immediately: they host New Zealand and Australia in the next two weekends.