How many times have we heard the rugby saying 'It starts up front'?
That has been the case for every successful team the game has produced. Including the thrilling Welsh side of the 1970s.
When we look back at videos of those halcyon days, 101 Best Welsh Tries or The Crowning Years, there were, indeed, some truly wonder scores from our glittering array of backs. But what the videos don't show is that most of those tries came towards the end of matches after the foundations had been put in place by the pack.
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There was open, flowing and romantic Welsh rugby, unlike during Warren Gatland's Warrenball era, I'd say, but only after the opposition began to crumble following a no-holds barred forward slugfest and the game could finally open up. Particularly with players like Gareth Edwards and Phil Bennett, who could spot and exploit a gap from even inside our own 22.
So the forwards have always been the real key in any rugby match - though as a grizzled old prop I would say that, wouldn't I? South Africa in recent times, however, have taken things onto another level again.
Their entire game, the one that made them world champions, is based upon big powerful and consistently aggressive forwards, who do exactly what big powerful and consistently aggressive forwards do well. Take on the opposition up front, strong and hugely effective set-piece, eventually batter them into submission.
They cause havoc in the scrum and have the best driving lineout of the lot. It's incredible how often their hooker Malcolm Marx ends up with the ball at the tail and scores a try from them.
They even have the luxury of starting with their second-string front row, which is stronger than most teams' first choice trio, before bringing on the Bomb Squad to see the job through in the second half.
This is a potent weapon. As the opposition tire, as a result of the relentless pressure applied, South Africa force penalties from the scrum with their first choice trio, and from driving lineouts. As such, this leads to yellow cards for the opposition as the Boks win the territory battle. Then, and only then, do the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, who's been likened to Shane Williams with his dancing feet, and power centre Damian de Allende come to the fore to score tries in the closing quarter.
It is a very simple, but highly effective game plan, which is enhanced further by Faf de Klerk's pinpoint box kicking to keep those big forwards on the front foot.
So, how on earth do Wales stop that in the three Tests which kick off next weekend? It's a difficult enough task for anyone, New Zealand, Australia, England, whoever, let alone a Welsh side still licking their wounds after the humiliation of losing at home to Italy.
Firstly, we're not as bad as that Italy performance suggests. We're certainly not the laughing stock some sections of the South African media would have you believe.
That defeat was down to bad selection by Wayne Pivac and appalling tactics on the day, for which Pivac and his captain Dan Biggar need to take responsibility. Wales had ample opportunity to take points early on with kicks at goal, but chose to go for driving lineouts instead.
They are kicks Biggar would have slotted in his sleep. Build up the score, Italian heads would have dropped as they'd been in this position so many times, then run away with it in the closing 20 minutes.
Those errors must never be repeated again and they clearly won't be against the Springboks, where Wales need to take every single point on offer. What we have to do in the first place, though, is get the basics right, make sure we're not giving away scrum penalties, something South Africa will be playing for as they seek to pile on the pressure and get points and territory of their own.
To that end Wyn Jones and Tomas Francis must not only start, but they need to stay on the pitch for as many minutes as possible. They are our best scrummagers, the ones most suited to tackling the Springboks head on. I hate this pre-ordained plan where the props come off after 55 or 60 minutes.
If these two are doing their job properly, let them keep doing it. Rhys Carre and Dillion Lewis are great at what they do best, but that's not being part of a dominant scrum, or even one that gains set-piece parity, in my eyes. The other two are much more suited to the challenge of dealing head on with the Springboks front row, whether their starting trio or the Bomb Squad.
Hooker? That's nip and tuck. Given it's the world champions in their own backyard, I'd probably plump for Ryan Elias' experience over Dewi Lake. In the heat of battle out there, that kind of know-how can be a huge plus. But young Lake has impressed me and I wouldn't have a problem if his dynamism wins the day.
The key thing to remember about scrums is it's not just about the front row, it's also about the weight coming through from behind. So Pivac's selection at lock is also key - and this is where he needs to make his biggest call, I feel.
Adam Beard plays, he calls the lineouts, is settled at this level and his big arms are needed to help disrupt the Springboks' rolling maul. Beard can play a key role in stopping a key part of South Africa's game.
I hope to see Will Rowlands picked next to him, but, of course, that means Pivac leaving out Alun Wyn Jones. The Lions captain, 37 in three months, has been written off before, yet he's still battling away for his place and clearly wants to go through to the next World Cup.
However, I just don't think Pivac can afford to leave out a form player like Rowlands in games like this. He has played outstandingly well, proved himself in the Six Nations, was named Welsh Player of the Year and will be relishing the opportunity to go toe to toe with the Springboks' famed locks, Etzebeth, De Jager and Mostert.
The fact Alun Wyn has not been named captain for the tour gives Pivac flexibility not to pick him, I guess. The coach also needs to consider what's best if he wants Alun Wyn leading the side out in France next year, and I'm not sure three gruelling back-to-back Tests against the Springboks is the best preparation, particularly with the first two of those games at altitude.
Pick the younger men, I feel. Alun Wyn can still come off the bench if necessary and he's going to be around the squad, in the changing rooms, anyway to offer his guidance and expertise.
I know I said I'd go for Elias over Lake because of experience, but that's because the Ospreys man is still a rookie. Beard and Rowlands are more battle-hardened at this level and I'd go with them. It's a different position, a different decision.
Josh Navidi, Taulupe Faletau and Taine Basham are my back-row pick, a blend of experience, know-how and the no-fear approach of youth Basham will bring. He's done well at this level and there's lots more to come.
The first Test holds the key to everything because the Springboks haven't played since the autumn. We could catch them cold, a little ring rusty and vulnerable, just as the Lions did last year. My fear is that if we don't get selection right for this one, and lose, by the time the third game comes around we could have had the stuffing knocked out of us.
This is why the first one matters so much. I suspect Wales will make a better fist of it than many anticipate, with their forwards coming to the fore. That certainly needs to happen to counter the 'Boks own power game.
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