Great Western Railway (GWR) is preparing for a busy Saturday as Wales take on South Africa in the Autumn International at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, providing 58 trains and more than 28,000 seats for rugby fans.

Ahead of the 15:10 kick-off, 31 trains will run to Cardiff, all on a reservation-only basis, with passengers strongly advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment. Following the match, a further 27 trains will carry supporters home, offering nearly 14,000 seats.

GWR warns that trains will be extremely busy immediately after the final whistle, expected around 17:00, and a queueing system will operate outside Cardiff Central to help passengers board safely. Fans travelling east towards Newport will be asked to queue on the square in front of the station, rather than Riverside Car Park, in line with the system used for previous international rugby fixtures.

Supporters are encouraged to arrive early and plan their journey ahead of the rush to ensure a stress-free trip. While reservations are required for trains before the match, return journeys will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with no bookings necessary.

Rachel Geliamassi, GWR Customer Services Director, said:

“We’re really pleased to have provided additional trains for this year’s Autumn Internationals at the Principality Stadium. We’d urge fans to plan ahead and secure their seats early to avoid disappointment. Please do allow sufficient time to make your journey and remember that trains will be extremely busy leading up to kick-off and immediately following the match.”

Transport for Wales (TfW) will also run extra trains, including pre-match services and additional trains after the game, to help fans travel across the network.

Image: Great Western Railway