The Springboks kick-off their year-end tour when they face Six Nations champions Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
Wales v South Africa
6 November
19:30
Principality Stadium
To Win Match
Wales 22/10 | Draw 25/1 | South Africa 7/20
Handicap
Wales (+7.5) 9/10 | South Africa (-7.5) 9/10
The Springboks kick-off their year-end tour when they face Six Nations champions Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
After beating the British & Irish Lions 2-1 in their Test series earlier this year, the Boks were a mixed bag in the Rugby Championship; beating Argentina twice, twice losing to Australia and winning one and losing another of two Tests against the All Blacks. They finally finished third, relinquishing their championship crown but do head into the November internationals with some momentum after that 31-29 win over New Zealand on the Gold Coast.
With the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Faf de Klerk and Sbu Nkosi unavailable, there have been some changes made to the side. There are starts for Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel and Hershel Jantjies, with coach Jacques Nienaber emphasising the need to provide the Bok’s fringe players with more game time in the lead up to the next World Cup.
With rain expected in Cardiff on Saturday, the kicking game of Jantjies, Pollard and Willemse will be under the microscope. In addition, the positional play of Willemse will be critical to the Boks’ success with No 1 No 15 Willie le Roux sitting this week out.
Not unlike the visitors, Wales have been weathering some pretty big injury issues of their own, with Alun Wyn Jones, Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau, Josh Navidi, George North, Dan Lydiate and Leigh Halfpenny all ruled out.
That said, there are returns for B&I Lions duo Dan Biggar and Louis Rees-Zammit for Wayne Pivac’s charges. The great Jonathan Davies again skippers the side from the midfield.
Despite winning the Six Nations earlier this year, Wales’ decline in form has steadily seen them drop down to ninth on the world rankings after their 54-16 defeat to the All Blacks last week. That result also lifted New Zealand back above the Boks to No 1, so there will be no shortage of desire from either side on Saturday.
The last time South Africa won in Cardiff was 2013.
Verdict: Wales 22/10
Wales will look to exploit the back three of the Boks, as well as Jantjies. While the world champs are favourites to win, the wily Welsh are a different prospect in the Cardiff rain and could well spring a surprise. For a bit more security, get the Wales plus.
Wales – 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Jonathan Davies (c), 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Taine Basham, 6 Ellis Jenkins, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Rhys Carré.
Subs: 16 Bradley Roberts, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 WillGriff John, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Seb Davies, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Liam Williams.
Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn.
