INTERNATIONAL TEST - WALES v SOUTH AFRICA
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Saturday, 5 June Kick-off: 1430 BST
Coverage: Exclusively live on BBC TWO Wales & online, full commentary on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru & online, score updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sport website
 Wales have beaten South Africa just once in 104 years and 23 Tests
|
Wales are in confident mood of just their second win over South Africa when they meet in Cardiff on Saturday.
The men in red have only beaten the mighty Springboks once in 104 years and 23 Tests, 29-19 in the Millennium Stadium's opening game in June 1999.
But confidence has been bouncing out of the Wales camp, while Welsh pundits have been united in expecting a home win over the weakened world champions.
The attitude has riled South Africa coach Peter de Villiers.
"[Wales] need to know that when you pick fruit it isn't just apples and pears - there are prickly pears as well," said de Villiers. "We want to be a prickly pear for them.
"I told these players they must remember that I haven't announced the team to face France next week, and for a good reason - I haven't seen them play as a unit yet.
"If this team stands up for itself and proves to us how good it is, then there is pressure on the other team at home for their positions.
"It is extremely important to start well, otherwise we place a lot more pressure on ourselves ahead of the World Cup next year.
"We are in a pool with Wales, and if we don't do well on Saturday we give them a lot of confidence ahead of next year.
 |
This is our chance to do it and we should send them packing with their tails between their legs
Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones
|
"We become just another team for them. We will give them a psychological advantage, and we cannot permit that."
Wales, who also face two Tests in New Zealand on 19 and 26 June, have been boosted by the recent success of the Blues and Ospreys, who make up the majority of coach Warren Gatland's squad.
"Confidence is paramount, the Blues boys are bouncing about the place," said centre Jamie Roberts, part of the Blues team that won the Amlin Challenge Cup last month the week before the Ospreys claimed the Magners League title.
"It's an awesome opportunity for us to beat South Africa, if you look back over the last couple of years this is probably our best chance and hopefully we'll take it."
Ospreys and Wales flanker Jonathan Thomas added: "[South Africa] are renowned for their strength in depth and their Super 14 teams have done well this year, but this is definitely a big opportunity for us.
Rees seeks elusive Springboks win
"There is no psychological fear for us. Most of the players in our squad are experienced now and know what to expect from a game with South Africa.
"We have British and Irish Lions in our squad, players who featured in a Test victory over the Springboks only a year ago, so there isn't a mental issue to overcome.
"That isn't to say we do not respect them."
The Springboks have three Test rookies in an unfamiliar line-up further weakened by a player release row.
The squad have had just one week in camp since the Super 14 final last weekend that featured the Bulls and Stormers.
But Wales have also been hit by injuries and their inability to call on players based in England.
They have inexperienced teenager Tom Prydie on one wing and uncapped Scarlets flanker Rob McCusker on the bench.
Despite that, former Wales captains Robert Jones and Phil Bennett say they fully expect a home win in front of a crowd estimated to top 60,000.
Another ex-skipper - Gwyn Jones - was even more bullish on Wales' hopes of claiming just a third win over one of the Tri Nations superpowers in this century.
Hook eager for Springboks test
"The majority of the Welsh side are coming from success and will be full of confidence," he told BBC Wales' Scrum V rugby programme.
"We've got to win. It's a South Africa team in name, but we know it's not the best South Africa team they could put out on the field.
"Their first 15 is the best in the world at the moment - this side is not.
"We've got every chance of beating them... We should be ruthless and put them away.
"This is our chance to do it and we should send them packing with their tails between their legs. We've got the players to do it and we're confident.
"If Wales have got any aspirations to do anything at the World Cup then these are the sort of games we should be able to despatch easily."
Wales: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), James Hook (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Tom Prydie (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Ospreys); Paul James (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Deiniol Jones (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Blues), Ryan Jones (capt, Ospreys).
Replacements: Huw Bennett (Ospreys), John Yapp (Blues), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Richie Rees (Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys).
South Africa: Frans Steyn (Racing Metro); Gio Aplon (Stormers), Jaque Fourie (Stormers), Juan de Jongh (Stormers), Odwa Ndungane (Sharks); Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), Ricky Januarie (Stormers); CJ van der Linde (Leinster), John Smit (Sharks, capt), BJ Botha (Ulster), Danie Rossouw (Bulls), Victor Matfield (Bulls), Francois Louw (Stormers), Dewald Potgieter (Bulls), Joe van Niekerk (Toulon). Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Alistair Hargreaves (Sharks), Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), Meyer Bosman (Cheetahs), Zane Kirchner (Bulls), Bjorn Basson (Cheetahs).
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Gatland explains Wales selection
No comments:
Post a Comment