Wales vs South Africa – Preview
Autumn Nations Cup | Week 3
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17:40 PM
Date: Saturday 23rd November
Will the Springboks jingle all the way to an Autumn hat-trick or will there be a Miracle on Westgate Street…?
Wales
Wales would have identified this fixture as somewhat of a free hit ahead of their Autumn campaign, although two successive losses have quickly turned the tide, heaping the pressure on Gatland and his men. Questions have been asked about Gatland’s selections, leaving the likes of Anscombe and Wainwright out of the matchday 23, showing faith in Scarlets outside half, Sam Costelow, to lead the backline into battle. The Welsh showed glimmers of promise for the last 15 minutes of the first half last weekend, but they’ll need to find this gear and more to go toe to toe with the best ranked side in world rugby.
South Africa
In stark contrast to Wales’s 11 successive defeats, the Boks are looking for their 11th win of the 2024 season, having cruised to victory in the Rugby Championship along the way. The Springboks arrive in the Welsh capital making seven changes to the side that defeated England last weekend, looking towards an Autumn hat-trick on their Northern Hemisphere tour. Some may suggest they are taking their foot of the gas, with second row powerhouses Etzebeth and Snyman on the bench and a complete change at 9 and 10, but the Bok match day 23 still boasts 17 World Cup Winners showing just how much strength they have in depth.
Players to watch
Kurt-Lee Arendse
The pint-sized try machine is yet to cross the whitewash this Autumn and will see this depleted, lacklustre Welsh side as a prime opportunity to add to his 17-try tally in the green and gold jersey. The 28-year-old will jet off for a stint in Japan following the Springbok’s Autumn tour and will look to toy with this inexperienced Welsh back three and build momentum before he links up with his new club.
Jac Morgan
There is no bigger test for a forward than fronting up to the South African pack and Wales will be relying on the Osprey’s back rower to be a thorn in the Springbok’s side and disrupt as much ball as possible at the breakdown. Morgan has quickly asserted himself as one of Wales’s most formidable ball carriers, and you get the sense every metre gained, and every gain line broken will be crucial if Wales are to get a foothold in the match.
Summary
You do wonder when Wales’s dismal run will come to an end, but sadly I think we’ll still be wondering come January, as tests don’t come tougher than this. You imagine the Springbok’s won’t even need to get out of second gear to put Wales to bed this weekend, even after ringing the changes following success at Twickenham last weekend. Could this be the last time Warren Gatland exits the gates of the Principality stadium as Wales Coach, ironically the gates that bear his name. We think so.
Predictions
BKurt-Lee Arendse to score 2+ tries – 16/5
Jac Morgan to score anytime – 5/1
South Africa to Win By 26 – 30 Points – 9/2