Springboks VS Wales Preview – Bet Preview
Wales will be encouraged by their brave fight from the first match where they pushed South Africa until the closing stages.
Wayne Pivac’s troops came agonisingly close to causing a major upset at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria last week as they were the dominant side for long periods of the game.
The result was important for the Springboks as it means they are still unbeaten against Wales in their backyard and they have now won all eleven matches between them.
South Africa, who prevailed in that memorable first match through a last gasp penalty by Damian Willemse, will be looking to keep this feisty Welsh side at bay in Bloemfontein.
Springboks VS Wales
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named two uncapped players in his starting lineup and a further four among the replacements as he reshuffled his squad for their second Test against Wales in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Two players who have been in hot form recently, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Evan Roos, have been handed starts, while Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ruan Nortje, Deon Fourie and Grant Williams could make their debuts off the bench.
Four players in the match-23 retained their places in the squad from last week’s 32-29 victory in the opening Test against Wales, namely experienced lock Eben Etzebeth.
While hooker Malcolm Marx, prop Vincent Koch and utility back Damian Willemse have been included on the bench.
Furthermore, experienced flyhalf Handre Pollard, who returns to the squad after not featuring in the first Test, will take over the captaincy from Siya Kolisi this week.
For Wales, coach Wayne Pivac has made one change to the starting line-up that was narrowly defeated in Pretoria last weekend with Alex Cuthbert coming in on the wing for his 52nd cap.
George North, starting again at centre alongside Nick Tompkins, will equal Stephen Jones’ record as the most-capped Welsh men’s international back of all time with 104 when he takes to the field on Saturday.
Only Alun Wyn Jones (151), named as a replacement for the second Test this weekend, and defence coach Gethin Jenkins (129) have more Wales caps.
Sam Wainwright could be in line to make his senior international debut from the bench. Wyn Jones and Josh Adams are the other changes among Wales’ replacements for the second of three Tests against the Springboks.
