Wales are being widely written off ahead of their three-Test series against the Springboks this summer, but the world champions are paying their visitors some respect.
The two countries have had some extremely tight battles in recent years. Wales have won four out of the last six, with the two defeats coming in the last two encounters, though both games were decided by less than a score.
Despite the regions’ trials and tribulations in the URC this season, particularly when playing on South African soil, the hosts are aware that Wales will provide stiffer opposition than the domestic outfits.
Here is what those in South Africa make of Wales, including the Welsh players who are most-respected here...
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KWAGGA SMITH (SOUTH AFRICA FLANKER)
“The Welsh are really good players. I’ve watched a lot of URC games and they’re really good at fetching the ball and getting turnovers for their teams.
“Basham and Navidi are really good. I rate them really well. It’s going to be a battle for us at the breakdown, it’s never going to be easy against a team like that. It’s a good challenge for us and it’s good for us to measure ourselves against those guys.
“I think you need to look at form this year in the URC and Basham has really played well. He’s a good player and he played well at the end of last year as well. I think he’s a good player and he’s the one that I’ve recognised.”
DAMIAN WILLEMSE (SOUTH AFRICA FULL-BACK)
“Liam [William] played his 100th game for the Scarlets when we were there and just to see how much it meant to not only him but the fans as well.
“He’s a big player, who has a lot of experience at Test level. He’s known throughout the world. I got to work with him at Saracens and he’s a top man, a great rugby player and I’m excited about the challenge of playing against him this weekend.
“The Sarries boys love their coffee and I’m not a big coffee man but I know he’s a funny guy and a top man.
“I know he’s going to give everything, as he usually does for his country.”
JASPER WIESE (SOUTH AFRICA NO.8)
“I play with Tommy [Reffell] at Leicester. He’s a great guy and an excellent player. I think he brings a lot of physicality in the tackle and at the breakdown as well. He has a massive heart and massive work-rate as well.
“We’re well aware of that.
“Taulupe Faletau is also an excellent player. He’s been in the Welsh set up for years and has a lot of experience as well. I don’t know who they’re going to pick but we have to be prepared for them, any of their loose forwards.
“Faletau’s ball-carrying ability is definitely something that sets him apart and he brings a set of skills when he is playing on the edge or in the middle of the field.
“He moves the ball well and he has a little bit of a step before contact. That’s a very good quality he has. He’s strong in defence as well and a bit of a breakdown threat.
“He’ll be a tough opponent.”
KAYA MALOTANA (FORMER SPRINGBOK AND BROADCASTER)
“Selecting Dan Biggar as captain is huge. The first battle you need to win against the Springboks is game management, you have to play in the right areas of the field.
“Your discipline has to be that you’re always going to play on the right side of the field, so Biggar is going to be monumental. I just hope the captaincy doesn’t put him under too much pressure.
“Liam Williams has always been a threat to us. He’s a typical Eastern Cape rugby player, you’re never quite sure what he’s going to come up with! So he’s always a lurking threat.
“Wales could easily be intimidated by a poor URC season for them while a South African side won it and had three teams in the semi-finals. Everything is going for South African rugby.
“Or it can be an opportunity for Wales. There are players in that side who know what it takes to beat South Africa and know what it feels like. How much can they influence the guys coming in and get them excited about the prospect of beating the Springboks and not fearing them?”
BRENDEN NEL (FREELANCE RUGBY JOURNALIST)
“Anyone who understands rugby knows that the last few games have been extremely tight between the two sides.
“The majority of that Lions pack – Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones – we know that there’s a lot of quality in that team.
“Unfortunately, like most public sentiment, you get a couple of club losses and some loud voices shouting around. But anybody who understands rugby knows this is going to be a proper Test match.
“Wales’ biggest thing is if they can match the Boks’ physicality, scrum and lineout drives. They’ve definitely got the speed and the pace out wide to cause problems.
“Saturday is Wales’ best chance. The Boks haven’t played as a unit for a while and if Wales can keep it close, then they’ve got a good chance.”
MORGAN BOLTON (THE STAR)
“Look, with all due respect to Wales, they don’t enjoy the prestige of a New Zealand or Australia in the South African mindset.
“We expect to beat them every time we play them, to be honest, especially in South Africa and we have never lost to them here.
“Generally, most South Africans would expect to beat Wales comfortably on Saturday.
“It will definitely be a whitewash, 3-0 to South Africa. If Wales are going to do something to change that, it will be in the first Test.
“Because I don’t think they’ll be able to overturn things the longer the series goes on. If it is going to happen, it has to happen now, in the first Test.”
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