This game in the Pool Of Death, the most physical pool in the tournament, will be the big match of the weekend.
On paper you wouldn't give Wales much hope because they've won only one game against the Boks in 100-odd years, though they have run them close in the last three games – all of them at home.
They've had a good preparation. They lost the first trial to England but won the return match. Their defence was impenetrable against a blunt England attack in that 2nd game but they had trouble in the set pieces and getting possession generally. They had to give up a lot of penalties to keep their line intact too.
They did better in the scrums against Argentina with THP Adam Jones back, but they will miss LHP Gethin Jenkins who has played little rugby in 2011 and no test matches. He will be missed around the park too and especially at the breakdown, where he knows how to poach the pill. Even if they push him onto the park against the Boks, he won't be a force.
They will have to fix up their lineouts too. They were poor in the 2nd England trial and Victor and Co. will punish bad throws – and maybe even good ones.
In the backs they need scrummie Phillips and centre Roberts to get back to their Lions form of 2 years ago. Hook will likely be the flyhalf since S. Jones didn't play a trial match and they need fullback Byrne back to his best. They will need to get the ball to their game breaking wingers - old stager Shane Williams and George North, arguably the best young winger in the world.
Wales will be one of the fittest teams in the tournament after being flogged in a training camp in Poland. They likely won't be able to match the physicality of the Boks and their plan will have to be to run them around the park to wear them out.
The main Bok team has had only two games preparation but they had an uplifting win against the All Blacks last up. The Boks played their 2007 RWC and 2009 Lions rugby in that test with M. Steyn playing his Naas game and slotting the penalties. The better all round game of B. James failed against the Wallabies in Durban and he will probably play from the bench if catch-up is needed, or the game is safe.
Wales discipline was poor against England in the 2nd trial. It improved against Argentina and will have to stay at that way to stop hangman M. Steyn putting the noose over their heads.
Gatland has already said that the Boks won't play much rugby. He will be expecting a bashing, top set pieces, and lots of high balls; but knowing that won't help if Wales can't get out of their own half. England kept them pinned in their own territory in the 2nd trial and Wales will die by a thousand cuts if the Boks are allowed to do that.
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On paper you wouldn't give Wales much hope because they've won only one game against the Boks in 100-odd years, though they have run them close in the last three games – all of them at home.
They've had a good preparation. They lost the first trial to England but won the return match. Their defence was impenetrable against a blunt England attack in that 2nd game but they had trouble in the set pieces and getting possession generally. They had to give up a lot of penalties to keep their line intact too.
They did better in the scrums against Argentina with THP Adam Jones back, but they will miss LHP Gethin Jenkins who has played little rugby in 2011 and no test matches. He will be missed around the park too and especially at the breakdown, where he knows how to poach the pill. Even if they push him onto the park against the Boks, he won't be a force.
They will have to fix up their lineouts too. They were poor in the 2nd England trial and Victor and Co. will punish bad throws – and maybe even good ones.
In the backs they need scrummie Phillips and centre Roberts to get back to their Lions form of 2 years ago. Hook will likely be the flyhalf since S. Jones didn't play a trial match and they need fullback Byrne back to his best. They will need to get the ball to their game breaking wingers - old stager Shane Williams and George North, arguably the best young winger in the world.
Wales will be one of the fittest teams in the tournament after being flogged in a training camp in Poland. They likely won't be able to match the physicality of the Boks and their plan will have to be to run them around the park to wear them out.
The main Bok team has had only two games preparation but they had an uplifting win against the All Blacks last up. The Boks played their 2007 RWC and 2009 Lions rugby in that test with M. Steyn playing his Naas game and slotting the penalties. The better all round game of B. James failed against the Wallabies in Durban and he will probably play from the bench if catch-up is needed, or the game is safe.
Wales discipline was poor against England in the 2nd trial. It improved against Argentina and will have to stay at that way to stop hangman M. Steyn putting the noose over their heads.
Gatland has already said that the Boks won't play much rugby. He will be expecting a bashing, top set pieces, and lots of high balls; but knowing that won't help if Wales can't get out of their own half. England kept them pinned in their own territory in the 2nd trial and Wales will die by a thousand cuts if the Boks are allowed to do that.
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