Sir Clive Woodward has paid a glowing tribute to Wales coach Wayne Pivac for the “astonishing turnaround” in his team’s fortunes.
The World Cup winning former England boss has described Saturday’s historic 13-12 second Test victory over South Africa in Bloemfontein as a remarkable feat given what happened in the Six Nations.
He feels Pivac deserves much credit for having gone into the three match series against the world champions in such confident mood and delivering on that optimism.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, Woodward said: “Wales have produced an astonishing turnaround. They were very poor in the Six Nations and lost at home to Italy for the first time, so to beat the world champions in their own backyard is a remarkable feat.
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“I think Wayne Pivac should get a pat on the back. He had a lot of confidence going to South Africa and spoke openly about that. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to think that confidence was misplaced, but Pivac and his team have delivered. They should have won the first Test and then claimed the second.
“Some will point out South Africa’s 14 changes and say Wales were given a chance, but that was still a very strong Springboks side, with Eben Etzebeth and Handre Pollard. Any team that can bring in the best player in the Premiership in Andre Esterhuizen has serious quality. Well done Wales. Now, go and finish the job.”
With an eye on next year’s World Cup, Woodward feels it was a very significant weekend of Test rugby, with the four home nations all winning away from home down south.
“It was a huge shot in the arm for northern hemisphere rugby. For England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland to beat Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina away from home is a massive boost for the European game,” he said.
“Victories for the home nations in the southern hemisphere are rare, so to produce a clean sweep is just remarkable. It immediately adds extra spice to next year’s World Cup.
“To win the World Cup it is vital you have no fear of taking on the best on the planet. You have to have confidence you can beat teams like New Zealand and South Africa because if you don’t, you are almost defeated before you set foot on the field.
“That’s why Saturday’s results were so important, especially because the wins were away from home. England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland will be full of beans and all four countries now have series deciders on the cards this weekend."
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