FRIDAY, 12.30PM:
THE WELSH side that will meet the Springboks in a one-off Test match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday will be characteristically full of spirit and fight, but all indications are that the Boks will maintain their unbeaten record over the Celtic visitors, writes Rob Davies
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The Welsh rugby road has been very bumpy for the greatest part of the decade, with most of the talented Welsh players choosing to play their rugby in England. The resulting exodus of talent has led to decline of the nation that in the 70s and early 80s was at the pinnacle of world rugby.
The team currently on tour in the country is desperately looking for form and inspiration ahead of the 1999 World Cup, of which it is the host nation.
Results against some of the lesser South African provincial sides have proved to be damning, and the Celts will have to dig deep in order to perform well in the Test. A major setback for the already weakened team is the hamstring injury to scrumhalf and skipper, Rob Howley.
The team is without the services of world-class centres Allan Bateman and Scott Gibbs, and Howley’s possible unavailability may prove fatal to the men in red. David Llewellyn will play in the event of Howley not being fit.
Whatever the state of their team, one thing is certain: The Welsh will play rugby. The Tests against Ireland may have left the Springboks more vulnerable than they think, and if the Welsh decide to run the ball, they may be in serious trouble.
The Springboks’ defence has not really been tested in the Irish Tests, and with the South African midfield combination of Andre Snyman and Pieter Muller not gelling very well yet, the Welsh may be able to put pressure on the South Africans.
The South Africans have also not scrummed very well in the Irish Tests, and although fiery Robbie Kempson has replaced Natal teammate Ollie le Roux at loosehead prop, Adrian Garvey may well also need a rest after a gruelling Super-12.
Being realistic, it would be unfair to the Welsh to say that they may beat the Boks in their backyard, what is very likely however, is that the Springboks will face a Welsh side who, despite adversity, will show the class and spirit that was so lacking in the hot-headed Irish.
The Teams:
Springboks:
Percy Montgomery, Stefan Terblanche, Andre Snyman, Pieter Muller, Pieter Rossouw, Franco Smith, Joost van der Westhuizen, Gary Teichmann(c), Andre Venter, Rassie Erasmus, Mark Andrews, Krynauw Otto, Adrian Garvey, James Dalton, Robbie Kempson.
Wales:
Byron Hayward, Dafydd James, Mark Taylor, John Funnell, Garan Evans, Arwel Thomas, Rob Howley(c), Colin Charvis, Kingsley Jones, Nathan Thomas, Andy Moore, Ian Gough, John Davies, Barry Williams, Mike Griffiths.
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