Rugby’s Autumn International: Preview: South Africa v/s Wales
The Springboks play their second game of the autumn season when they take on Wales at the Millennium stadium in Cardiff today. Although the South Africans are missing some key players on this year’s tour of the Northern Hemisphere, their convincing win against
Ireland last week suggests they are brimming with confidence.
The World Champions are desperate to maintain a perfect record during the autumn period, after a recent dip in form. The Springboks finished last in the tri-nations, while South African franchises participating in the Super 14 tournament this year, also
failed live up to expectations.
But the Springboks’ hard-fought 23-21 victory over Ireland in Dublin last week, has really helped them to regain their confidence. The other positive was that they managed to grind out a result in testing conditions with a young side.
The Springboks have a proud record against Wales. Both teams have played 24 matches in their century-long rugby relations. South Africa has won 22 of those matches, while Wales has won only won 1 game. 1 match was drawn.
Wales has been unable to bet the Springboks for the last 11 years. The last time they won was in 1999. Although South Africa has a good record against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, the hosts can take heart from the fact that their only win against the
Springboks also came on this ground.
Despite all their dominance, South African player Bryan Habana still believes his team are not favorites for this game.
He said that the Springboks have not been performing well this year, and now they must rectify their faults before the world cup. He said that the team has to do well during this tour because it will help them prepare for next year’s world cup.
Habana praised the Wales team and said that they played very well against Australia, who beat the Springboks earlier this year.
Wales have made few changes to the team which played against Australia. George North has been given his first Wales cap. While Lee Byrne, who was out of action due to a broken hand, has recovered and will be part of the starting line-up. Martyn Williams
will replace Sam Warburton, who will not play due to an injury.
Wales coach Warren Gatland is very confident ahead of the match and said that his side will change their approach and try to be more direct against the Springboks.
South Africa and Wales are in the same group for next year’s world cup. This is last time they will face each other before the world cup. So this is an opportunity to get a psychological advantage over the other ahead of that tournament.
Although, South Africa’s past record against Wales is very good, they are missing many star players due to injuries this time, which makes both the teams fairly balanced, which will make for an interesting and thrilling match between them.
Teams
Wales (15-1):Lee Byrne; George North, Tom Shanklin, James Hook, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Jonathan Thomas, Martyn Williams, Dan Lydiate; Alun-Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies; Adam Jones, Matthew Rees (capt), Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: Huw Bennett, Paul James, Ryan Jones, Andy Powell, Richie Rees, Andrew Bishop, Chris Czekaj
South Africa (15-1):Gio Aplon; Bjorn Basson, Frans Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Deon Stegmann; Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck
du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe, Willem Alberts, Francois Hougaard, Zane Kirchner, Patrick Lambie
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