2018 International Rugby: Wales vs South Africa Preview

Wales will look to continue their eight-match winning streak when they face the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 24 November. 

Wales vs South Africa
Saturday, 24 November
19:20
Principality Stadium 

To Win (80 mins)
Wales 8/10
Draw 20/1
South Africa 1/1

Handicap
Wales (-1.5) 9/10
South Africa (+1.5) 9/10

South Africa lost their stronghold over Wales in 1999, when the Welsh completed their first win over the Boks in 93 years.

Although the Boks managed a quarter-final 2015 Rugby World Cup win over the Welsh, they have gone on to lose three fixtures in a row against the Europeans.

Wales’ recent resurgence is down to their attacking style of play and their lethal back-line players. The powerful George North standing at 1.96 and weighing in at 109kg is devastating on attack, with his ability to break tackles and beat defenders. North also has the luxury of his support runners in the form of Johnathan Davies, one of the best outside centres in the game.

Wales will be without the trusted boot of Leigh Halfpenny after he picked up a concussion against the Wallabies. Gareth Anscombe is always reliable at flyhalf and will be supported by scrumhalf, Gareth Davies. For Warren Gatland, a win against the Boks would be the cherry on top at the end of a fine season. The Welsh will be favourites in their own backyard.

The Springboks have to build on consistency ahead of their final year-end Test.  They’ve worked hard to get the type of momentum they have at this point and will look to break their three-match losing streak against the Welsh.

The Millennium Stadium’s roof will ensure that the weather won’t affect the game at all, which could play into the hands of the Boks.

The talk of Embrose Papier’s run hasn’t yet left the lips of supporters, and the Bulls scrumhalf is sure to get another run on. Handre Pollard’s fine display skills on this tour will almost certainly see Elton Jantjies starting from the bench.

Eben Etzebeth has returned from injury ahead of the Test and will start from the bench, to provide extra grunt in the forward pack.

Verdict: Wales (-1.5) 9/10
I’m backing Wales to pip the South Africans by a small margin in a match that will be decided by the boot.