Wales vs South Africa match buildup.

First topic message reminder :

OK boys, this weekend Wales and South Africa will both attempt to begin their Autumn Internationals with a win.

Both teams for different reasons.

Wales will want to build on their Six Nations form of the last two years, they will want to confirm to themselves that the British and Irish Lions tour was won because of their players, and they will want to progress from being Northern Hemisphere kings, to a team that has the ability to beat South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

In my view, and possibly in the view of their supporters the time is now, it has been a while since Wales has been so dominant in Europe, the only thing missing before they can call themselves world beaters is to take the next step.

How much of it is mental, how much of it is due to the fact that they struggle to put 80 minute performances together I cannot be certain of, but what I do know is they have the ability, sadly it seems Cuthbert and Roberts will not be part of what I deem as the most talented and dangerous backline in Europe. For two reasons I might add, it is the most settled back line in Europe, and also very experienced.

Since the World Cup in 2011, Wales have won 9 of their 10 Six Nations matches, undoubtedly a very good record, however their problem was the seven match losing streak in between the two Six Nations.

South Africa on the other hand, has a new coach, been there for near two full seasons and he has made a difference.

Still not yet consistent, the concern is always how will Meyer ensure that the springboks perform on a consistent basis. In the past 18 months under Heyneke Meyer the boks had their fair share of poor games.

Last year out of the twelve test matches played the springboks managed to win 7 tests, drew 2 and lost three.

Although the three tests they lost were against New Zealand (twice) and Australia, there were a number of other performances that were not up to par. England in the third test at home, Argentina in Mendoza and New Zealand at home, those were poor performances by South Africa.

Although they went through the Autumn internationals unbeaten the were less than convincing.

I suppose the positive out of the performances were even when they played poorly, they managed to be on the right side of the scoreboard most of the time.

Although South Africa has shown improvement this year, the consistency is still under question.

The one aspect of their game that has improved immeasurably is their positive approach to attacking play, looking at the number of tries scored this year in comparison to last year it makes for astounding reading, in 2012 during 12 matches South Africa managed only 23 tries, conceding 16. This year in 9 tests they have managed 39 tries, conceding 18 tries.

Only New Zealand have managed to score regular tries against SA, totalling 15 tries in the last two years, the rest of their opponents only managed 19 tries in 17 matches.

Wales during 2012 managed to score 20 tries in conceding 17 in their 13 matches. During 2013 in their seven tests to date, they managed 11 tries, conceding 7.

If South Africa continues with their positive approach  to attacking plays I believe Wales will be hard pressed, their defence will have to be up to par, there is no doubt Wales will have a positive approach to the game, so from that perspective it should be an entertaining match.

There are some questions over the selections Meyer will make, will he bring Jaque Fourie, JP Pietersen and Bakkies Botha in for the first tour match, which would add significantly to the experience of the team, or will he give debutant Pieter Steph du Toit his first cap?

Of course Willie le Roux and JJ Engelbrecht may yet be inexperienced, but in my view it would be unfair to summarily dismiss them in favour of the old hands.

Wales have a few selection issues as well, who will replace Cuthbert and Roberts, and the ultimate question, will Phillips’ disciplinary record affect his chances for selection?

I still wonder who is the best fly half in Wales.

Come what may, this match should be a tough encounter, will SA prove they have made the step up and show consistency, or will Wales make the next leap towards world domination?

Springbok team for Wales.

The Springbok team to face Wales in Cardiff is:

15. Pat Lambie 29 caps 55 points
14. JP Pietersen 48 caps 70 points
13. Jaque Fourie 69 caps 160 points
12. Jean de Villiers (captain) 93 caps 120 points
11. Bryan Habana 92 caps 265 points
10. Morné Steyn 51 caps 618 points
9. Fourie du Preez 65 caps 70 points
8. Duane Vermeulen 13 caps 5 points
7. Willem Alberts 27 caps 30 points
6. Francois Louw 25 caps 25 points
5. Flip van der Merwe 31 caps 5 points
4. Eben Etzebeth 20 caps 0 points
3. Frans Malberhe 0 caps 0 points
2. Bismarck du Plessis (v-captain) 54 caps 40 points
1. Tendai Mtawarira 50 caps 10 points
Replacements:
16. Adriaan Strauss 30 caps 25 points
17. Gurthrö Steenkamp 46 caps 30 points
18. Coenie Oosthuizen 11 caps 5 points
19. Pieter-Steph du Toit 0 caps 0 points
20. Siya Kolisi 8 caps 0 points
21. Ruan Pienaar 71 caps 130 points
22. JJ Engelbrecht 10 caps 20 points
23. Willie le Roux 9 caps 15 points

Wales team for South Africa
Wales

15 Leigh Halfpenny,
14 George North,
13 Jonathan Davies,
12 Scott Williams,
11 Eli Walker,
10 Rhys Priestland,
9 Mike Phillips,
8 Toby Faletau,
7 Sam Warburton (captain),
6 Dan Lydiate,
5 Alun Wyn Jones,
4 Bradley Davies,
3 Adam Jones,
2 Richard Hibbard,
1 Gethin Jenkins

Substitutes: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Paul James, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 James Hook, 23 Liam Williams

Great kick Williams!!!!

At least this spectacle has been entertaining so far, if anything. Cheeky Louw .

Louw is popular then...anyone want to buy him a pint after...?

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Hope you got her number Ineffable. If somebody distracts me during a rugby game with my nation playing, she has to be spectacular!

Aha I already had her number but you gotta do some groundwork right

That pitch is awful

Great half!

beast 100% offside

So HT 12-17....I'm off to watch Ireland a bit...

Does anyone know why, when it's on, our guys keep running into SA monster forwards? Our players are dull as f'ck. Gotta give it to SA, they're probably the best team in the world when it comes to covering tackles. Those big forwards cover a lot of ground and they keep going for the full 80.

good finish to the half Wales. We still have a match...good stuff and very entertaining for us neutrals!

great hands by the welsh players last few phases. just got to turn it into points in the second half.

Wales all over them stats wise.

SA all over them points wise

The Saint wrote:Does anyone know why, when it's on, our guys keep running into SA monster forwards? Our players are dull as f'ck. Gotta give it to SA, they're probably the best team in the world when it comes to covering tackles. Those big forwards cover a lot of ground and they keep going for the full 80.

Clearly you missed the RC saint...for that was one of the primary reasons they lost

The Saint wrote:Does anyone know why, when it's on, our guys keep running into SA monster forwards? Our players are dull as f'ck. Gotta give it to SA, they're probably the best team in the world when it comes to covering tackles. Those big forwards cover a lot of ground and they keep going for the full 80.

totally agree. no point having 66% possession if you run into 3 forwards and get isolated.

Good game here.

Enterprising from Priestland there. Left JP for dust. Reminded me of Ellis Park though. Lucky not to get turned over and lose points. Sends out a message though before half time though to SA that Wales are happy with the game opening up and not afraid to mix it up and keep the ball in hand and attack.

Going to be fascinating to see who finishes stronger. SA have been very good at finishing strong in the last quarter except against NZ. Will Wales' fitness be up to the task. Game opening up nicely and normally SA would be concerned about that but they may think it suits them. Going to be interesting to see how the teams come out after the half time talk. Good wee game and such a shame the pitch is not up to the occasion.

Ineffable wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Hope you got her number Ineffable. If somebody distracts me during a rugby game with my nation playing, she has to be spectacular!

Aha I already had her number but you gotta do some groundwork right

Good on you mate. Only excuse for missing rugby.

Great match so far. Shame Wales have copped so many injuries...that pitch is a disgrace.

What you saying Taylor? I'm saying that everytime I see SA come to the NH their forwards are just everywhere smashing players. We've lost this IMO, we needed to take advantage of than sin bin a lot sooner. I'd be surprised if we got back into it, very surprised.

Wonder what the Bok fans make of this so far?

Is it just me or is hook having a good game!

quinsforever wrote:

The Saint wrote:Does anyone know why, when it's on, our guys keep running into SA monster forwards? Our players are dull as f'ck. Gotta give it to SA, they're probably the best team in the world when it comes to covering tackles. Those big forwards cover a lot of ground and they keep going for the full 80.

totally agree. no point having 66% possession if you run into 3 forwards and get isolated.

AWJ having a bit of a mare doing that

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Enterprising from Priestland there. Left JP for dust. Reminded me of Ellis Park though. Lucky not to get turned over and lose points. Sends out a message though before half time though to SA that Wales are happy with the game opening up and not afraid to mix it up and keep the ball in hand and attack.

Going to be fascinating to see who finishes stronger. SA have been very good at finishing strong in the last quarter except against NZ. Will Wales' fitness be up to the task. Game opening up nicely and normally SA would be concerned about that but they may think it suits them. Going to be interesting to see how the teams come out after the half time talk. Good wee game and such a shame the pitch is not up to the occasion.

Agree Kia and Id say the boks have worked on the 80 minute thing since Ellis. Wales wont stretch them as far either, but Wales are reverting to enterprise for the sake of something different/ survival perhaps and could get there that way. They need to try things, get halfpenny mobile. Slugging it out wont do it.

GloriousEmpire wrote:Great match so far. Shame Wales have copped so many injuries...that pitch is a disgrace.

Have you been touched by an angel

GloriousEmpire wrote:Is it just me or is hook having a good game!

He has been playing FB a lot, looks like he has learnt to hit the line at the right time. Not been involved enough to tell so far, 1 good break though and is standing in a FH well.

Too many times getting isolated aye. Bit upright in our running at times too.

The Saint wrote:What you saying Taylor? I'm saying that everytime I see SA come to the NH their forwards are just everywhere smashing players. We've lost this IMO, we needed to take advantage of than sin bin a lot sooner. I'd be surprised if we got back into it, very surprised.

Wonder what the Bok fans make of this so far?

well you referenced the world not the NH. SA lost at Ellis largely because the forwards couldnt make the covering tackles or last the 80- the two exact points you are making here. And its not over yet. Wales need to show enterprise, get the backs moving the ball, get 1/2p up as extra man. No way is it over yet.

Paul James on?

Thought Gethin was having a good game - being replaced probably means he is injured too

 

Nope, Scott Andrew is injured...

Taylorman wrote:

The Saint wrote:What you saying Taylor? I'm saying that everytime I see SA come to the NH their forwards are just everywhere smashing players. We've lost this IMO, we needed to take advantage of than sin bin a lot sooner. I'd be surprised if we got back into it, very surprised.

Wonder what the Bok fans make of this so far?

well you referenced the world not the NH. SA lost at Ellis largely because the forwards couldnt make the covering tackles or last the 80- the two exact points you are making here. And its not over yet. Wales need to show enterprise, get the backs moving the ball, get 1/2p up as extra man. No way is it over yet.

Okay that's true. However SA have only lost to NZ,and let us not forget that NZ are NZ.

James is on, shows how little faither they have in Andrews. So why was he there?!

Guscott thinks Wales need to keep it tighter. Sigh. Old dog. Old tricks.

I'm guessing a big start from Wales here.

What happened to putting the ball in straight?

Louw back on receives the same welcome in the hillside Rolland had earlier...  It's like Xmas panto.

Lol at the crowd thinking lowe is some sort of villain.

Priestlands lucky there. Just looks too slow to be making these deep one off runs.

Saffas getting doirty now...

That wasn't that dirty. Penalty yes though.

Cari wrote:Saffas getting doirty now...

means theyre rattled...Wales have been pressing on last 20...they need to keep it up...

Wait, Etzebeth is in a fist fight, but Jim Hamilton isn't involved.

It's almost... and I know this sounds crazy, friends... but it's almost like Etzebeth is a thug who retreats behind a biased TMO to hide from his misdemeanours.

I'm a bit confused.

GloriousEmpire wrote:Guscott thinks Wales need to keep it tighter. Sigh. Old dog. Old tricks.

Yeah, what does that drop goal Lion hero think he's talking about GE? You've forgotten more than he'll ever know right?

Come my celtic brothers. get clinical

James Hook is playing well. I'm glad to see that. Priestland not doing too shabby either which I'm also glad about.

Taylorman wrote:

Cari wrote:Saffas getting doirty now...

means theyre rattled...Wales have been pressing on last 20...they need to keep it up...

Indeed...I'm not complaining. I'd be happy if we just kicked penalties to win.

geez that ground is terrible for the stadium quality...its all cut up and not even wet?
did they run out of money?

That's what happens when your pitch comes off the back of a lorry taylorman...literally.

Heh, someone had to wake up Josh Lewsey then! You're on the telly son!

NAh taylorman- they basically built a stadium without checking the ground quality.
Millions have been spent on constant improvements -But to no avail.

Is that Boks man really called Willy La Rue? That has to be one of the best names in rugby besides Topsy Ojo.

SA have flatlined...Wales have to get points in this period...

What about the kiwi found my weener?