Wales v South Africa Saturday 24th November 2018

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Wales v South Africa
Date: Saturday 24th November 2018

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Kick Off: 5:20pm

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

TV Coverage: Live on BBC Two and S4C

Wales will face South Africa at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday 24th November during the Under Armour Series 2018. This will be the fourth and final autumn international to be played by Wales in 2018. The two teams will compete for the Prince William Cup, which was created by the WRU in 2007 to celebrate 100 years of rugby between Wales and South Africa.

Wales have beaten the Springboks in each of their last three encounters. The most recent win came during a summer tour match in Washington DC, where Wales emerged 22-20 victors.

Wales and South Africa have contested a total of 34 rugby test matches since their first meeting in 1906. Wales have won five of those matches, whilst South Africa have won 28 matches. Wales and South Africa also drew a match in 1970.

Springboks coach Erasmus expecting 'toughest test'

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus says Wales will provide the toughest test of their tour.

The Springboks are hoping to build on victories against France and Scotland after a narrow loss against England.

Wales are on an eight-match unbeaten run and aiming to complete a first autumn clean sweep after beating Scotland, Australia and Tonga.

"We have four tough matches on this tour but are ending probably with the toughest," said Erasmus.

Wales have won their last three games against the Springboks with home victories in 2016 and 2017 and a tour triumph in Washington DC in June 2018.

"We desperately want to win and it will be a physical and tactical test," added Erasmus.

"The way they manage the game is a typical northern hemisphere side and Warren Gatland really understands the technical side.

"To keep a job like this in a rugby-mad country for so long shows his quality. What I can see from him in this specific cycle is the way he is building depth for the World Cup."

Captain Siya Kolisi is available after escaping with an official warning from World Rugby's citing commissioner for a head-butt incident in the 26-20 victory over Scotland.

Lock Eben Etzebeth also faces a fitness test on Tuesday on the leg injury that forced him off against England and resulted in him missing the wins over France and Scotland.

Erasmus says influential Sale Sharks scrum-half Faf de Klerk will miss the game because he wants to look at other nines like Embrose Papier and Ivan van Zyl.

De Klerk has been named on World Rugby's player of the year shortlist alongside fellow South African Malcolm Marx, New Zealand duo Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane and Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton.

De Klerk missed the victory over Scotland and was released back to Sale, although Erasmus has insisted there are no contractual issues.

Wales are ranked third in the world behind New Zealand and Ireland who defeated the All Blacks last weekend and Erasmus rates their World Cup chances.

"It's an open race," said Erasmus.

"New Zealand and Ireland are the clear favourites but Wales are hovering there and are almost like silent assassins at this stage.

"If we manage to beat Wales this weekend the only team we have not beaten who are real contenders is Ireland.

"That gives us hope but it will not be easy."

South Africa will be a different proposition from the team that lost in Cardiff last year with Erasmus taking over at the start of 2018.

It has still proved a mixed year of results but the Springboks managed a famous away win in New Zealand and lie fifth in the world rankings.

Biltong wrote:England SA was very frustrating to watch.

Agreed, even for a 'neutral'

munkian wrote:

Biltong wrote:England SA was very frustrating to watch.

Agreed, even for a 'neutral'

If I was a neutral I would have changed the channel on that match. No way I would have voluntarily sit through that.

eirebilly wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

eirebilly wrote:It would have to be Williams to replace Halfpenny at 15 I would think. His goal kicking will be missed but not that much if Biggar is playing.

I think Wales have been building quite well for the RWC with regards to the strength in depth and I think we will see a coy approach to the 6N from them as well.

Trouble is billy, I do not think Biggar will be picked on Saturday, not even for the bench. I think it will be Anscombe with Patchell on the bench.

As much as I rate Anscombe, Biggar for me is the better option. His kicking and defence work alone is worth its weight in gold.

I'd have started Biggar with 1/2 crocked. For kicking if nothing else, we know this game will be quite tight. And were going to see old school Books.....forget any finesse they will try and do a number on Wales physically.

Anscombe isn't a poor goal kicker.

It's interesting to see Biggar on the bench. Gats must think that it will be a tight game and will bring Biggar on to close the game out and see us home. Conversely, you'd think that the game would open up as the game went on and defenders got tired so you'd have the 'looser'/attacking outside half on the bench (Anscombe or Patchell). Obviously difficult to predict what sort of game it will be, but perhaps Gats is looking to play it more open at the start, get ahead and then try to play it tighter and close it out, i.e. behind the sofa stuff!

Biltong wrote:
Can't say that about Wales vs Australia, it was nowhere near the quality of Ireland vs All Blacks.

One huge contributing factor for that is O'Keefe versus Barnes.

PhilBB wrote:

Biltong wrote:
Can't say that about Wales vs Australia, it was nowhere near the quality of Ireland vs All Blacks.

One huge contributing factor for that is O'Keefe versus Barnes.

That is most definitely a factor. But the referee isn't the one making error upon error.

Biltong wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

Biltong wrote:
Can't say that about Wales vs Australia, it was nowhere near the quality of Ireland vs All Blacks.

One huge contributing factor for that is O'Keefe versus Barnes.

That is most definitely a factor. But the referee isn't the one making error upon error.

It is when that referee is Ben O'Keefe.

He was worse than even Glen Jackson was in Dublin earlier this year and Jackson was utterly horrendous.

Whales 28 - SA 35

TightHEAD wrote:Whales 28 - SA 35

I can only hope.

Biltong wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Whales 28 - SA 35

I can only hope.

I wouldn't base hope on HERSH's predictions based on his past inaccuracy

munkian wrote:

Biltong wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Whales 28 - SA 35

I can only hope.

I wouldn't base hope on HERSH's predictions based on his past inaccuracy

I'll take anything at this stage, we need that win.

Biltong wrote:

munkian wrote:

Biltong wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Whales 28 - SA 35

I can only hope.

I wouldn't base hope on HERSH's predictions based on his past inaccuracy

I'll take anything at this stage, we need that win.

You beat the mightry, mighty Scotland, don't be greedy

munkian wrote:

Biltong wrote:

munkian wrote:

Biltong wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Whales 28 - SA 35

I can only hope.

I wouldn't base hope on HERSH's predictions based on his past inaccuracy

I'll take anything at this stage, we need that win.

You beat the mightry, mighty Scotland, don't be greedy

Have to be, we need to redeem after that horrid 2016-17 under Coetzee. How SARU could appoint him I don't know.

Biltong wrote:

munkian wrote:

Biltong wrote:

munkian wrote:

Biltong wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Whales 28 - SA 35

I can only hope.

I wouldn't base hope on HERSH's predictions based on his past inaccuracy

I'll take anything at this stage, we need that win.

You beat the mightry, mighty Scotland, don't be greedy

Have to be, we need to redeem after that horrid 2016-17 under Coetzee. How SARU could appoint him I don't know.

I raise you Scot Johnson

munkian wrote:

Biltong wrote:

munkian wrote:

Biltong wrote:

munkian wrote:

Biltong wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Whales 28 - SA 35

I can only hope.

I wouldn't base hope on HERSH's predictions based on his past inaccuracy

I'll take anything at this stage, we need that win.

You beat the mightry, mighty Scotland, don't be greedy

Have to be, we need to redeem after that horrid 2016-17 under Coetzee. How SARU could appoint him I don't know.

I raise you Scot Johnson

Meh, not even close

Dam that predictive text! I meant WALES not Whales!

Late doubt over Danny Lydiate. BBC didn’t say what it was. If he’s out, Ellis Jenkins will start and Aaron Wainwright will be on the bench.

RiscaGame wrote:Late doubt over Danny Lydiate. BBC didn’t say what it was. If he’s out, Ellis Jenkins will start and Aaron Wainwright will be on the bench.

That would have been my choice. We know what Lydiate can do, and he has proved he's back to being a very good player, but Jenkins could be a real gem and Wainwright really impressed me last week.

Yep, Lydiate confirmed as out. Ellis Jenkins replaces him. I wonder if we’re a bit lightweight in the back row now? Two open sides on the flanks and a blind side at no.8. Hmmmm. That’s the one area they really dominated Scotland. Need to be on our toes in that area today.

Huge opportunity for Jenkins and despite our huge depth in the back row they've mismanaged this. Definitely lightweight in back row and Lydiate's gainline defense will be missed

Wales Look up for it at the anthems. 3rd ranked team v what some think are 3rd best team. Winner will be.

SA spreading it wide early. Wonder what they have seen

Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs.

JDV is such a good and fair summariser, wish we could hear more of him on other games

Wales looking good but SA hanging on

Robbed

Pathetic rugby from SA. Can your attack be more bloody predictable?

Bad decision to not go for the three at the end, but South Africa are getting harsh treatment, overall, from the referee.

Always take easy points. But still think they got the ball down

Duty281 wrote:Bad decision to not go for the three at the end, but South Africa are getting harsh treatment, overall, from the referee.

Yawn here we effing go; happens EVERY time Wales are playing ffs.

Ref is listening to the 80000 refs in the crowd, they can feel hard done by this half.

There’s been more rugby played this half than in the whole 80 mins in the garbage game we were given this afternoon in Edinburgh

Duty281 wrote:Bad decision to not go for the three at the end, but South Africa are getting harsh treatment, overall, from the referee.

I am so over blaming a referee. The Boks continue to play Poopie. That is why they are losing.

Too many penalties too many stupid mistakes.

It doesn’t help though!

This has one point win written all over it

But for whom...........?

Is the match director Welsh, so many slow motion replays in hope he went into touch whilst scoring.

TightHEAD wrote:Is the match director Welsh, so many slow motion replays in hope he went into touch whilst scoring.

Well he/she could very well be considering it’s being filmed in Wales!!!

TightHEAD wrote:Is the match director Welsh, so many slow motion replays in hope he went into touch whilst scoring.

Stop crying about it

Wales not playing well. How many times have we seen wales do this - go a few scores up and then do nothing for the rest of the game and let teams chip away at the score. Can’t see us winning this if we just cling on. Need to be attacking.

tigertattie wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Is the match director Welsh, so many slow motion replays in hope he went into touch whilst scoring.

Well he/she could very well be considering it’s being filmed in Wales!!!

Yeah, is doubt they’ve flown in a South African to work for the BBC for the day.

Again, even jiffy saying that should be a SA penalty

How the Frak is that not a penalty to SA?

Oh so you can dive on top of players now!!! Crazy call Ref?

Game over

The Oracle wrote:Wales not playing well. How many times have we seen wales do this - go a few scores up and then do nothing for the rest of the game and let teams chip away at the score. Can’t see us winning this if we just cling on. Need to be attacking.

It’s why our games against direct teams often turn into a dull affair. It’s just not a smart way of playing.

Poor by Wales. How could we not score a try from there?

BILTong as you’re a mod, is there any reason why you keep allowing the usual culprit to constantly wum on here and every other one of our threads?

Wales have really ground this one out. Poor South Africa really haven't had the rub of the green this autumn with the officiating.

Biltong wrote:Game over

Been an odd game Biltz. Momentum swinging back and forth but the ref hasn’t given SA a thing all game. Hate it when a scrappy game is effected by a ref but it happens