QF1: South Africa v Wales, 17 October

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SOUTH AFRICA v WALES

17 October 2015
16:00 BST (UTC+01)
Twickenham, London

Live on expensive telly

Ref: Wayne Barnes (England)
ARs: George Clancy (Ireland) and JP Doyle (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

A. Head to Head

30 Played 30
27 Won 2
1 Drawn 1
2 Lost 27
814 Points 440

B. Recent Form

29 November 2014
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
12–6 to Wales

21 June 2014
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
31–30 to South Africa

14 June 2014
Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban
38–16 to South Africa

9 November 2013
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
15–24 to South Africa

11 September 2011
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
17–16 to South Africa

13 November 2010
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
25–29 to South Africa

5 June 2010
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
31–34 to South Africa

8 November 2008
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
15–20 to South Africa

C. TEAMS:
SOUTH AFRICA

Le Roux; Pietersen, Kriel, De Allende, Habana; Pollard, Du Preez (capt); Mtawarira, B du Plessis, Malherbe; De Jager, Etzebeth; Burger, Louw, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Strauss for Du Plessis (55), Nyakane for Tendai Mtawarira (56), J Du Plessis for Malherbe (60), Du Toit for Etzebeth (67), Alberts for Louw (67), Lambie for Pollard (76), Serfontein for Kriel (67), Pienaar (unused).


WALES

Anscombe; Cuthbert, Morgan, Roberts, North; Biggar, G Davies; Jenkins, Baldwin, Lee; Charteris, AW Jones; Lydiate, Warburton (capt), Faletau.

Replacements: Owens for Baldwin (56), James for Jenkins (55), Francis for Lee (55), Davies for Charteris (63), Tipuric for Lydiate (67), L Williams for G Davies (70), Priestland for Biggar (73), Hook for Morgan (67).

Nobody anticipating any surprises then like Anscombe on the wing

I think Wales should play Hook at 13... get the boks running with Biggar, Hook and Anscombe sending them left right and centre chasing the ball.

Play Tipuric to compete for the ball and Charteris to combat the boks driving maul (probably the best in the world maul defensive operator... he's like an Octopus).

Get Roberts and North thundering down Kriel's channel at any opportunity but they have to run the socks off the boks to stand a chance.

Sow a seed of doubt and they could crumble.

Wales team announced

Wales team to face South Africa: G Anscombe; A Cuthbert, T Morgan, J Roberts, G North; D Biggar, G Davies; G Jenkins, S Baldwin, S Lee; L Charteris, AW Jones; D Lydiate, S Warburton, T Faletau.

Subs: K Owens, P James, T Francis, B Davies, J Tipuric, L Williams, R Priestland, J Hook

RubyGuby wrote:Wales team announced

Wales team to face South Africa: G Anscombe; A Cuthbert, T Morgan, J Roberts, G North; D Biggar, G Davies; G Jenkins, S Baldwin, S Lee; L Charteris, AW Jones; D Lydiate, S Warburton, T Faletau.

Subs: K Owens, P James, T Francis, B Davies, J Tipuric, L Williams, R Priestland, J Hook

Looking at that team it doesn't strike me as Wales being devoid of depth.

Biltong wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:Wales team announced

Wales team to face South Africa: G Anscombe; A Cuthbert, T Morgan, J Roberts, G North; D Biggar, G Davies; G Jenkins, S Baldwin, S Lee; L Charteris, AW Jones; D Lydiate, S Warburton, T Faletau.

Subs: K Owens, P James, T Francis, B Davies, J Tipuric, L Williams, R Priestland, J Hook

Looking at that team it doesn't strike me as Wales being devoid of depth.

Everyone else keeps telling us Welsh rugby is rubbish, our coaches is a moron and we have no depth...

As expected for me. Thank god there's no Hook.

maestegmafia wrote:

Biltong wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:Wales team announced

Wales team to face South Africa: G Anscombe; A Cuthbert, T Morgan, J Roberts, G North; D Biggar, G Davies; G Jenkins, S Baldwin, S Lee; L Charteris, AW Jones; D Lydiate, S Warburton, T Faletau.

Subs: K Owens, P James, T Francis, B Davies, J Tipuric, L Williams, R Priestland, J Hook

Looking at that team it doesn't strike me as Wales being devoid of depth.

Everyone else keeps telling us Welsh rugby is rubbish, our coaches is a moron and we have no depth...

maestegmafia.

Why did you not save this post untill after the game?

Hope Anscombe settles in fast and has a stormer! I think we haven't seen his best yet.

maestegmafia wrote:

Biltong wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:Wales team announced

Wales team to face South Africa: G Anscombe; A Cuthbert, T Morgan, J Roberts, G North; D Biggar, G Davies; G Jenkins, S Baldwin, S Lee; L Charteris, AW Jones; D Lydiate, S Warburton, T Faletau.

Subs: K Owens, P James, T Francis, B Davies, J Tipuric, L Williams, R Priestland, J Hook

Looking at that team it doesn't strike me as Wales being devoid of depth.

Everyone else keeps telling us Welsh rugby is rubbish, our coaches is a moron and we have no depth...

The problem with perception is people continue to allow preconceptions to cloud their judgement of reality.

We are pretty much in the same boat, I have tried my best to make people look past their perceptions and filter new information for re assessment of thr Springboks, it seems I have failed miserably.

Trying to explain old guard mentality and old guard ability that is being replaced by a new generation of player with a better mentailty has gotten nowhere.

So the more there are of "everybody" the more of "everybody" is going to be disappointed, the layghable fact is they will still believe in the perceptions created by media, pundits and the like.

In fact just to add, the general opinion out there is we must beat this "injury riddled Welsh" if we don't we are crap.

So we are in a lose lose situation.

mikey_dragon wrote:As expected for me. Thank god there's no Hook.

Seconded.

I don't want to jinx things here, but if we can shut out the Wallabies try-wise, you'd hope we can lock out the Boks too - not that it'll be easy. Our defence is usually quite mean, and if we can keep our discipline (which we didn't do against the Wallabies) then we'll be in with a chance. What we must do is take every chance we get, because I doubt there'll be many.

Cuthbert has been so poor for so long, it wouldn't surprise me if he scores on Saturday!

Wales are only one or two injuries away from dropping out of this rwc.

Biltong wrote:In fact just to add, the general opinion out there is we must beat this "injury riddled Welsh" if we don't we are crap.

So we are in a lose lose situation.

Ha ha ha

The build up is going to be all about who has the most impoverished potential

Am I the only one looking at the fixtures for this weekend and thinking for a potential neutral this will be the most uninteresting game of the round?

Between both teams poor execution, and question marks over injury, and player selection, this could be a dead rubber of epic last autmumn proportions, in comparison to 3 other games that could be thrillers!

As expected I suppose! The only debate really was Gethin or James, I'd ave gone the other way but hey! Only real Concerns for me are the scrum and the Habana/Cuthbert matchup!

Fanster wrote:Am I the only one looking at the fixtures for this weekend and thinking for a potential neutral this will be the most uninteresting game of the round?

Between both teams poor execution, and question marks over injury, and player selection, this could be a dead rubber of epic last autmumn proportions, in comparison to 3 other games that could be thrillers!

Hell, you just can't help yourself, can you?

I have now been convinced you are a wind up merchant and will put you on my ignore list.

Biltong wrote:In fact just to add, the general opinion out there is we must beat this "injury riddled Welsh" if we don't we are crap.

So we are in a lose lose situation.

A 27-2 head to head record. Twice World Cup winners. Plus you have spent the week telling us how this SA team can play varied rugby, but yet you appear to be moaning about being strong favourites?

We do have our first choice pack, but have lost 4 of our top 5 backs on form. Plus plenty of their replacements. I know which situation I'd rather be in.

[quote="Fanster"]Am I the only one looking at the fixtures for this weekend and thinking for a potential neutral this will be the most uninteresting game of the round?

quote]

Put simply YES you are the only one thinking that - Game of the round has to be Ire v Arg for me though

I think Australia v Scotland has all the ingredients.

Australia knackered from the efforts of Pool A - Scotland mad as Schidt that World Rugby has kicked them in the nuts....

we know what they did to the poor Japanese when Eddie taunted them that his boys were going to screw them

Biltong wrote:

Fanster wrote:Am I the only one looking at the fixtures for this weekend and thinking for a potential neutral this will be the most uninteresting game of the round?

Between both teams poor execution, and question marks over injury, and player selection, this could be a dead rubber of epic last autmumn proportions, in comparison to 3 other games that could be thrillers!

Hell, you just can't help yourself, can you?

I have now been convinced you are a wind up merchant and will put you on my ignore list.

Are you being serious? What part of that was a wind up?

Ireland Argentina screams game of the tournament with a key number of players missing for Ireland and Argentinas form.

Aus and Scotland have hardly had troubles opening up when given the chance, it may be the one sided game of the round but Scotland will try to play at some point.

France have looked poor, but NZ solid, however there is always a touch of edge around this fixture.

Wales have stuttered through their group, with some good performances but have fallen short at the last hurdle, and SA have put to the sword weaker teams, they havn't faced anything like the welsh pack yet. Wales have been very good at ensuring theyre tight and difficult first, then flashy second, and I don't see that changing on Saturday do you?

I'm dissapointed you are this stubborn to not accept another opinion, as yours is clearly gospel.

Shame, as I wanted to avoid engaging you due to last times attitude, maybe popping me on ignore will be best for both.

Ruby Secret

Thats my point, the other 3 ties may be shockers/crazy tests, I'm pretty sure the way both these teams play this game will not be, lets hope i'm wrong.

The SA v Wales game may be similar to the Aus v Wales game with few trys (maybe) - However, I would take that type of heavyweight match before a 9 try free for all which we may see with Aus. v Scotland or NZ v France. In some ways this might even be the best game for the purists, it just depends on what floats your boat.

RubyGuby wrote:The SA v Wales game may be similar to the Aus v Wales game with few trys (maybe) - However, I would take that type of heavyweight match before a 9 try free for all which we may see with Aus. v Scotland or NZ v France. In some ways this might even be the best game for the purists, it just depends on what floats your boat.

 

You may well be right, however I think there will be enough nerves from the huge favourites and enough seige mentality from the underdogs to really make those games interesting.

Of course this game will be the one for me, but it has the potential to be a pretty nervy, kickfest, maybe due to the weakness of the Welsh backline, and SA nerves of making mistakes.

Don't care. Just hoping for a Wales win and couldn't give a monkeys how it's done.

Anyone remember the Cuthbert of old? Boy he could score. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MStEZwFLf-U&feature=youtu.be

mikey_dragon wrote:Anyone remember the Cuthbert of old? Boy he could score. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MStEZwFLf-U&feature=youtu.be

...this weekend... CUTHBERT RETURNS!!!

Hope so... SA summer tour (second test) form please Alex.

mikey_dragon wrote:Hope so... SA summer tour (second test) form please Alex.

I don't recall seeing a professional player in such terrible form keep his place like Cuthbert. He would need a telescope to find the try line and a speed bump would be more effective in defence.

Fanster wrote:Am I the only one looking at the fixtures for this weekend and thinking for a potential neutral this will be the most uninteresting game of the round?

Between both teams poor execution, and question marks over injury, and player selection, this could be a dead rubber of epic last autmumn proportions, in comparison to 3 other games that could be thrillers!

It cannot be a dead rubber, unless you have changed / don't know what 'dead rubber' means.

GavCanDance wrote:Don't care.  Just hoping for a Wales win and couldn't give a monkeys how it's done.  

Pretty much 

I would love to see the boys get this. It's a massive ask, but their spate of bad luck losing players to injury seems to have made them a tight squad.

I prefer the starting pack from the Australian game at least we were not hammered from the first scrum.. I prefer Priestland over Anscome at full back his up and under s helped Aus win back the ball and penalties.

I don't think there's an awful lot of pressure on either team to win here... This isn't the best Bok team ever, and I imagine many supporters acknowledge this and will be hoping for a better coach in a few weeks time to take them back to where they want to be. After the bad year they've had a QF loss wouldn't be out of place. Wales on the other hand have already performed excellently in this World Cup when most had written them off when Halfpenny got injured. Both will want this badly sure, but both can't be too devastated with an exit at this point I reckon.

South Africa losing to a seriously depleted Wales? I would say all the pressure is on South Africa.

Munchkin wrote:South Africa losing to a seriously depleted Wales? I would say all the pressure is on South Africa.

That seriously depleted Welsh side looked all the business against Australia and were a whisker away from winning that game... The replacements look more than up for it.

Well was only one player out on my selection, I would have started James over Jenkins but am happy with the side overall.

We need to get our scrum sorted or it will be a long long day, most of the focus on other forms of social media are surrounding the selection of Cuthbert but unless we get the scrum sorted it won't matter who we have in the backs.

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

Munchkin wrote:South Africa losing to a seriously depleted Wales? I would say all the pressure is on South Africa.

That seriously depleted Welsh side looked all the business against Australia and were a whisker away from winning that game... The replacements look more than up for it.

So Wales second team to beat South Africa, because even a seriously defeated Wales team could have put Australia away? Excellent.

I think they have a chance (I will be cheering them on), but less of a chance than they would have if they were at their strongest.

Munchkin wrote:

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

Munchkin wrote:South Africa losing to a seriously depleted Wales? I would say all the pressure is on South Africa.

That seriously depleted Welsh side looked all the business against Australia and were a whisker away from winning that game... The replacements look more than up for it.

So Wales second team to beat South Africa, because even a seriously defeated Wales team could have put Australia away? Excellent.

I think they have a chance (I will be cheering them on), but less of a chance than they would have if they were at their strongest.

Australia look the form team in the competition and Wales very possibly should have won that game, nothing I'm saying is outrageous here is it? There are also plenty of 1st choice players still there too, not really a Wales 2nd team.

It may seem we have depth in that we can still name a strong side and our 2nd most experienced side boasting over 700 caps but a lot will be entrusted to some youngsters.

Our spine of experience that runs through the pack really need (which sure they will) to stand up and be counted.

Also a huge congratulations to AWJ who will be winning his 100th cap on Saturday.

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

Munchkin wrote:South Africa losing to a seriously depleted Wales? I would say all the pressure is on South Africa.

That seriously depleted Welsh side looked all the business against Australia and were a whisker away from winning that game... The replacements look more than up for it.

So Wales second team to beat South Africa, because even a seriously defeated Wales team could have put Australia away? Excellent.

I think they have a chance (I will be cheering them on), but less of a chance than they would have if they were at their strongest.

Australia look the form team in the competition and Wales very possibly should have won that game, nothing I'm saying is outrageous here is it? There are also plenty of 1st choice players still there too, not really a Wales 2nd team.

It isn't outrageous, but the pressure is on South Africa to win this. There won't be too many thinking Wales can win this after having lost so many players. Just the way it is.

It will be tough for Wales, but I think they have it in them to do it. Not saying they will win, but they have a chance. They have great team spirit, and belief, and won't take a step back. Might be enough to carry them through.

Munchkin wrote:

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

Munchkin wrote:South Africa losing to a seriously depleted Wales? I would say all the pressure is on South Africa.

That seriously depleted Welsh side looked all the business against Australia and were a whisker away from winning that game... The replacements look more than up for it.

So Wales second team to beat South Africa, because even a seriously defeated Wales team could have put Australia away? Excellent.

I think they have a chance (I will be cheering them on), but less of a chance than they would have if they were at their strongest.

Australia look the form team in the competition and Wales very possibly should have won that game, nothing I'm saying is outrageous here is it? There are also plenty of 1st choice players still there too, not really a Wales 2nd team.

It isn't outrageous, but the pressure is on South Africa to win this. There won't be too many thinking Wales can win this after having lost so many players. Just the way it is.

It will be tough for Wales, but I think they have it in them to do it. Not saying they will win, but they have a chance. They have great team spirit, and belief, and won't take a step back. Might be enough to carry them through.

Fair enough, you are right that SA will be expected to win this I suppose. Whatever happens it promises to be great encounter, which is what this game is all about.

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

Munchkin wrote:South Africa losing to a seriously depleted Wales? I would say all the pressure is on South Africa.

That seriously depleted Welsh side looked all the business against Australia and were a whisker away from winning that game... The replacements look more than up for it.

So Wales second team to beat South Africa, because even a seriously defeated Wales team could have put Australia away? Excellent.

I think they have a chance (I will be cheering them on), but less of a chance than they would have if they were at their strongest.

Australia look the form team in the competition and Wales very possibly should have won that game, nothing I'm saying is outrageous here is it? There are also plenty of 1st choice players still there too, not really a Wales 2nd team.

Is your name jiffy?

A seriously depleted Wales didn't the Aus backline that shredded England across our try line and probably should have won that game with better decision making.

Just sayin'

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Fantasticbarnsmell wrote:

Munchkin wrote:South Africa losing to a seriously depleted Wales? I would say all the pressure is on South Africa.

That seriously depleted Welsh side looked all the business against Australia and were a whisker away from winning that game... The replacements look more than up for it.

So Wales second team to beat South Africa, because even a seriously defeated Wales team could have put Australia away? Excellent.

I think they have a chance (I will be cheering them on), but less of a chance than they would have if they were at their strongest.

Australia look the form team in the competition and Wales very possibly should have won that game, nothing I'm saying is outrageous here is it? There are also plenty of 1st choice players still there too, not really a Wales 2nd team.

It isn't outrageous, but the pressure is on South Africa to win this. There won't be too many thinking Wales can win this after having lost so many players. Just the way it is.

It will be tough for Wales, but I think they have it in them to do it. Not saying they will win, but they have a chance. They have great team spirit, and belief, and won't take a step back. Might be enough to carry them through.

Fair enough, you are right that SA will be expected to win this I suppose. Whatever happens it promises to be great encounter, which is what this game is all about.

It does have that promise. If it's anything like the England or Australian game, it will be a cracking game.
I agree about the Australian game. They forced Australia into making mistakes, two players carded, but were found wanting when it came to converting pressure into scores. Hats off to Australia though for such a dogged defence. Hopefully Gatland will have them prepared to make more of their opportunities.

munkian wrote:A seriously depleted Wales didn't the Aus backline that shredded England across our try line and probably should have won that game with better decision making.

Just sayin'

I wasn't knocking Wales. The opposite in fact. Read my reply above....

munkian wrote:A seriously depleted Wales didn't the Aus backline that shredded England across our try line and probably should have won that game with better decision making.

Just sayin'

A full Wales team could not cross the line even when Australia was down to 13 men. So if Wales cannot beat a 13 man Australia team. What chance do Wales have against a full firing South Africa team?

Wales have a chance, 50/50 at least But South Africa do look that little bit better team than Wales do.

But then again South Africa looked a better team than Japan. and we all know how that turned out don't we?

I do hope Wales win to be honest, but i will not be putting any money on the game that's for sure.

What odds on Cuthbert scoring the winning try?

TightHEAD wrote:What odds on Cuthbert scoring the winning try?

NONE. You might get better odds asking what odds Cuthbert getting yellow carded?

TightHEAD wrote:What odds on Cuthbert scoring the winning try?

No chance, I'd give you better odds of Japan beating the boks!

hang on a minute.

majesticimperialman wrote:

munkian wrote:A seriously depleted Wales didn't the Aus backline that shredded England across our try line and probably should have won that game with better decision making.

Just sayin'

A full Wales team could not cross the line even when Australia was down to 13 men. So if Wales cannot beat a 13 man Australia team. What chance do Wales have against a full firing South Africa team?

Wales have a chance, 50/50 at least But South Africa do look that little bit better team than Wales do.

But then again South Africa looked a better team than Japan. and we all know how that turned out don't we?

I do hope Wales win to be honest, but i will not be putting any money on the game that's for sure.

Well if South Africa plays Wales with the same attitude and focus as they played Japan then there should be no issues for them.

majesticimperialman wrote:

munkian wrote:A seriously depleted Wales didn't the Aus backline that shredded England across our try line and probably should have won that game with better decision making.

Just sayin'

A full Wales team could not cross the line even when Australia was down to 13 men. So if Wales cannot beat a 13 man Australia team. What chance do Wales have against a full firing South Africa team?

Yawn, zzzzzzzz.