The Springboks will be hoping the return of skipper Siya Kolisi can inspire an improved showing against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
Saturday 19 August
Wales v Springboks
Principality Stadium
16:15
Wales 51/20 | Draw 20/1 | Springboks 34/100
Handicap
Wales (+8.5) 9/10 | Boks (-8.5) 9/10
The Boks have been far from their best this year but will be looking to their final two Rugby World Cup warm-ups to get as much cohesion and continuity into their game as possible ahead of their Pool B opener against Scotland on 10 September.
Kolisi’s inclusion is the biggest news, with the 32-year-old veteran having made a full recovery from the knee injury he sustained playing for the Sharks against Munster nearly 120 days ago, while Ox Nche and Jaden Hendrikse will also play their first minutes for the world champions this year.
It is vital that these players, along with the rest of the matchday squad, continue to sharpen their game whilst simultaneously avoiding injury before their World Cup title defence begins in earnest next month. Any more knocks to individuals over the coming fortnight would be calamitous.
Wales showed major improvement in their Tests against England, with Warren Gatland’s Kamp Staaldraad-esque Switzerland training camp clearly doing the trick. They’ll may cause the Boks a headache or two but won’t have the necessary grunt up front to trouble them for the full eighty.
Verdict: Boks on the minus
