The Springboks are bracing themselves for a physical battle against a determined Wales outfit when the teams cross paths in Cardiff on Saturday in the opening match of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour at the Principality Stadium.
Wales will enter the clash off the back of a 54-16 defeat against New Zealand at home last week, while the Springboks come off a 31-29 victory against the All Blacks in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship a month ago.
Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids emphasised the need to build winning momentum with another two Tests lined up after this clash - against Scotland in Edinburgh and England in London respectively - before they return home, but he warned that Wales will be a tough side to beat.
“We are happy with the way we performed in the last game against New Zealand,” said Davids.
“They are always a tough competitor, and it will be important for us to carry on that momentum into our next game. We face Wales this weekend and we’ll take this tour match by match.
“It’s always tough coming here (to Cardiff). We haven’t won here in five years and the match against Wales in the Rugby World Cup was a hard grind, so our focus is on preparing as well as we can.”
Davids did not attach much significance to Wales’ defeat against the All Blacks last weekend in the absence of a number of star players due to the Test falling outside of the international window and said the Boks’ record against Wales in Cardiff was more relevant to the challenge they would face on Saturday.
“When you are playing against one of the top two teams in the world, it will always be a tough game,” said Davids.
“Wales had a few injuries, which may have stopped their momentum, and over and above that the match was competitive for the first 60 minutes, so it could have gone either way.
“We know Wales will be up for this game and they’ll be very competitive, and we have to be up for it in all areas of the match.
“There are some players who played for the British & Irish Lions who will be back, such as (Louis) Rees-Zammit and (Taulupe) Faletau, and they have a lot of quality and experience up front and young players coming through as well.”
Responding to the blow the possible absence of British & Irish Lions and Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones could deal to the home side after he left the field against the All Blacks with a shoulder injury, Davids said that Wales' leadership core was strong enough to remain a top force.
“It’s a big loss for any team if you lose your captain, especially someone with so much experience and with a unique skillset,” said Davids.
“But they have a lot of quality leaders in the team who can take them forward.”