Sponsored Content
BUSINESS NEWS - In one of the most intriguing tours of the coming months, world champions South Africa host a Wales side that is still looking for its identity, and consistent performances. How will this battle unfold?
The Welsh tour of South Africa is one that the home side will feel is a must-win, while for the tourists it will be a case of one victory on foreign soil would constitute a good tour – even if it meant a series defeat.
Unsurprisingly, bookmakers & betting sites have the Springboks as favourites – deservedly so – but will they justify the tag with some comprehensive performances?
South Africa vs Wales Tour Fixtures
- 1st Test – Saturday, July 2nd – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
- 2nd Test – Saturday, July 9th – Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
- 3rd Test – Saturday, July 16th – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
South Africa Form
South Africa produced a very inconsistent run of Test results in 2021.
Heading to the northern hemisphere is never easy to do, but the world champions would have expected either a clean sweep or a string of consistent performances.
Instead, they limped to a win over a Welsh side that had been poor of late, they beat Scotland and then ended their tour with a narrow loss to England.
Of course, two wins out of three and a one-point loss to England would constitute a good run for most teams, but such is the power of this Springboks side, coupled with the struggles of the three nations they played, means that they would have been targeting three wins.
In this series against Wales, they will be looking to clinch a clean sweep against a Welsh side that many believe are there to be beaten.
It is good to see Faf de Klerk back in the squad after an inconsistent season through injury with Sale Sharks.
Siya Kolisi will lead the side once again as the build-up to the 2023 World Cup continues, and Toulouse’s Cheslin Kolbe returns to the squad. If given game-time, he could terrorise the Welsh defence.
Wales Form
Wales have really struggled over the last year or so, with uninspiring performances seeing the side end up in fifth place in the Six Nations table, 18 points short of Grand Slam champions France.
Ultimately, it was a campaign to forget for Wales as they were only able to beat Scotland across the term.
A resounding loss to Ireland was followed by victory over Scotland before a narrow loss to bitter rivals England.
A tight defeat to France was followed by a humiliating loss to Italy at home at the Principality Stadium, with the Welsh closing their 2022 Six Nations campaign with an embarrassing defeat.
This tour of South Africa is huge for Welsh coach Wayne Pivac. He has seen the pressure mounting on him in recent months, but it could be foolish timing for Wales to get rid of their coach with the World Cup in the offing.
Instead, they will have to stick with him and hope that results and performances improve.
It is interesting to see Alun Wyn Jones return to the squad after some less than inspiring performances for his club side the Ospreys.
While he is back in the squad, he has not taken the captaincy back, with Pivac opting to keep fly-half Dan Biggar as skipper.
George North is also in the squad, with the winger being deployed in the centre for his club side. He, like Alun Wyn Jones, has failed to inspire on the domestic rugby front, and whether he is deployed in midfield or on the flank, the home side will likely target him with a lot of high balls and attacking play on his side of play.
Missing through injury are Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty, Aaron Wainwright, Leigh Halfpenny and Ulisi Halaholo.
How will the series play out?
Wales are unlikely to get much out of this tour. The incredibly physical South African pack will likely dominate the tourists at the scrum, while shaky lineout throwing could also hinder the touring side.
An inability to move away from North, who is now beyond his best, is also hurting their development and nothing other than a South Africa clean sweep is likely in the series.
Powerful runners coupled with clever play with the ball in hand means that Wales will have to be at their very best to even keep up. And that is unlikely.
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
