Rugby Test: South Africa v Wales

08.11.2008
South Africa v Wales in Cardiff

Preview
World Cup holders South Africa has given Wales full respect in naming a very strong side to battle the Welsh dragon on Saturday. South Africa have made their intentions clear-they wish to take Europe by storm again almost a year after winning the Web Ellis Trophy.

Wales are without a few regulars due to injury and have named two new caps in their starting lineup. The 2007-08 6 Nations Champions have a number of experienced players on the bench whom they will need as the Springbox superior match fitness will tell later on in the match.

Latest: Gavin Henson has been a late withdrawl. His place is taken by Tom Shanklin with Roberts moving to inside centre and Andrew Bishop moves on to the bench.

Last Five Encounters
14.06.2008 South Africa 37-21 in Pretoria
07.06.2008 South Africa 43-17 in Bloemfontein
24.11.2007 South Africa 34-12 in Cardiff
19.11.2005 South Africa 33-16 in Cardiff
06.11.2004 South Africa 38-36 in Cardiff

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-South Africa 2nd, Wales 4th

Prediction: South Africa by 13

Teams

Wales
15 Lee Byrne (Neath Swansea Ospreys) Age 28, 19 tests
14 Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues) 19, New Cap
13 Thomas Shanklin (Cardiff Blues) 29, 54
12 James Roberts (Cardiff Blues) 21, 3
11 Shane Williams (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 31, 58
10 Stephen Jones (Llanelly Scarlets) 31, 72
9 Gareth Cooper (Gloucester, England) 29, 37
8 Andrew Powell (Cardiff Blues) 27, New Cap
7 Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues) 33, 81
6 Ryan Jones, Capt. (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 28, 22
5 Ian Evans (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 24, 14
4 Alun-Wyn Jones (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 23, 23
3 Adam Jones (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 27, 49
2 Matthew Rees (Llanelly Scarlets) 28, 19
1 Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) 28, 60
Replacements
16 Richard Hibbard (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 25, 6
17 Duncan Jones (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 30, 52
18 Ian Gough (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 32, 52
19 Dafydd Jones (Llanelly Scarlets) 28, 31
20 Dwayne Peel (Sale Sharks, England) 27, 61
21 James Hook (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 23, 26
22 Andrew Bishop (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 23, 1
Head Coach: Warren Gatland

Not selected Mark Jones (injured), Huw Bennett (injury)
Adam Jones will play his 50th test match.

South Africa
15 Conrad Jantjes (Golden Lions) Age 28, 21 tests
14 JP Pietersen (Natal Sharks) 22, 21
13 Adrian Jacobs (Western Province) 27, 18
12 Jean de Villiers Western Province) 26, 43
11 Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls) 24, 43
10 Ruan Pienaar (Natal Sharks) 24, 24
9 Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls) 26, 42
8 Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls) 23, 16
7 Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs) 26, 52
6 Schalk Burger (Western Province) 25, 46
5 Victor Matfield (Toulon, France) 29, 77
4 Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls) 28, 52
3 John Smit, Capt. (Clermont-Ferrand, France) 30, 78
2 Bismarck du Plessis (Natal Sharks) 24, 18
1 Tendai Mtawarira (Natal Sharks) 22, 7
Replacements
16 Brian Mujati (Western Province) 23, 9
17 Gurthro Steenkamp (Blue Bulls) 27, 18
18 Andries Bekker (Wtsern Province) 25, 10
19 Ryan Kankowski (Natal Sharks) 22, 4
20 Ricky Januarie (Western Province) 26, 31
21 Francois Steyn (Natal Sharks) 21, 24
22 Jaque Fourie (Golden Lions) 25, 39
Head Coach: Pieter de Villiers

For full lists of all Wales and South Africa test results go to http://www.rugbyinternational.net/