Wales v South Africa pitch invader banned from Principality Stadium for life

Stadium bosses have issued a strong statement

The man who invaded the pitch during Wales v South Africa at the Principality Stadium will receive a lifetime ban from all rugby events at the ground, it has been announced.

The intruder caused uproar after entering the field of play during the final quarter of the game on Saturday.

He climbed over the pitchside barriers and onto the pitch - reportedly for a £20 bet - and got in the way of Liam Williams as he looked to make the most of a potential try-scoring opportunity. Instead, Williams had to dodge the man and the steward who tackled him to the ground as Wales ended the game on the wrong side of a narrow 23-18 scoreline.

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Principality Stadium manager Mark Williams said: "Working collaboratively with South Wales Police we were able to identify the pitch invader who entered the field of play during Wales v South Africa at Principality Stadium on Saturday 6th November 2021.

"The WRU, Principality Stadium and South Wales Police condemns any behaviour of this kind, and the individual will be issued with a lifetime ban from buying any tickets from the WRU for rugby events held at Principality Stadium in future.

"We were deeply disappointed to discover the individual is a registered player and member of a rugby club; and the WRU are currently investigating this as a Code of Conduct breach.

"I'd like to thank the pitch side stewards and on pitch security team who acted swiftly stopping the individual and escorting them from the field of play.

"For more than 20 years this stadium has been revered across the world for its unique atmosphere and game day experience. It's extremely disappointing to think that by recent events the traditional game day experience is under threat and that we might be forced to look at additional measures that will impact on the fan experience in future."

It comes after South Wales Police said it would be discussing the matter further with stadium management.

A spokesman said on Sunday: "The 28-year-old man who intruded onto the pitch at the Principality Stadium on Saturday evening was escorted from the ground and ejected from the stadium.

"South Wales Police will discuss the matter further with the stadium management."

Pundits and Wales boss Wayne Pivac cast doubt over whether Liam Williams would have gone on to score had it not been for the interruption.