Wales’ Nations Championship travelling campaign will begin in the next 24 hours when they jet off for matches against Argentina and South Africa.
Steve Tandy’s side began World Rugby’s new tournament with an impressive six-try 39-24 victory against Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium.
Buoyed by consecutive Test wins for the first time since 2023, Wales will prepare to fly more than 12,000 miles in the next couple of weeks to try and tame the Pumas and Springboks.
The 33-man squad will initially travel more than 7,000 miles and 17 hours to Buenos Aires where they will spend most of the week preparing to face Argentina.
There will be another short flight for the game in San Juan next Saturday against Felipe Contepomi’s side – who began the new tournament with a 38-47 defeat at home to Scotland.
Wales will then face the 5,300-mile trip to Durban where they will cross five time zones to play world champions South Africa on 18 July.
The Springboks began the Nations Championship with a 45-21 demolition of England.
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Tandy says there will be no excuses from his squad about any logistical challenges.
“We’re going to face two unbelievable tests with limited training but it’s going to be a unique test for us,” said the Wales head coach.
“We’ll probably have one session in Argentina together because there’ll be separate flights over there.
“Then in South Africa, we might get two in but it’s something that we’re looking at.”
Wales have selected a 33-strong travelling squad and the hectic programme means there could be selection changes with a lot of players given game time.
“We’re getting more competitive so there are certain positions we can probably manage things because they are physical,” said Tandy.
The pressure will have eased on Wales following the victory against Fiji but Tandy says his squad will not be dwelling on events at the Cardiff City Stadium.
“This Test match rugby is tough,” said Tandy.
“We’re going to savour the win, but we will not be getting carried away with anything or looking on the outside.”
Argentina will be wounded following their defeat in a 12-try thriller by Scotland, but Wales will need no reminder of the 52-28 win the Pumas inflicted on them in Tandy’s first game as head coach in November 2025.
Wales squad will benefit from touring
Tandy believes Wales will benefit from the touring experience.
“I’ve always loved tours, whether it’s with Scotland, British and Irish Lions, whatever it is,” said Tandy who joined Wales after a spell with Scots.
“You get to know people better on a deeper level because there are probably no other distractions, everyone’s there.
“You learn more and also, going to different countries, they see different cultures.
“It’ll be colder in Argentina, where we’re going, so that adaptation, getting used to travelling.”
Tandy believes this is a vital preparation for next year’s World Cup in Australia.
“The World Cup will involve a lot of travelling,” said Tandy.
“These sort of tours bond you tighter than before and you learn more about each other.
“It’ll be good for our coaches and some of the boys who haven’t been in for a long period of time to get to understand people on a deeper level.”
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