Boks and Welsh brace to face each other
Fri, 09 Sep 2011 6:45p.m.
Springboks at signing today
By Ross Karl
Arguably the biggest head to head match up with weekend is the big Pool D clash between the Springboks and Wales.
No one is more aware of that than the two teams involved.
If experience alone won world cups, South Africa would have little competition.
But Wales coach Warren Gatland is not intimidated by a starting team boasting a record 815 caps.
“They rely on that and they're a tough team to beat. It does help having a bit of experience. I think we have a nice mix of some talented youngsters with some experience as well.”
22-year-old Sam Warburton leads a Welsh team with 496 caps but lacking experience in key places.
First five Rhys Priestland's played just four tests.
Boks coach Peter De Villiers will not single out welsh weaknesses though.
“The lovely part of international rugby is you don't find weaknesses very easily in tier one countries.
Out words: we would be stupid if we try and do that.”
Veteran Danie Rossouw comes into the Boks for the injured Bakkies Botha.
Those kind of luxuries mean John Smit is relaxed.
“So we'll watch the first match and the opening couple of games of this round and I think by the time we get to Sunday the boys will know pretty much what their purpose is.”
And with 11 World Cup winners in the starting 15 it is hard to argue with the Boks' know-how.
3 News