Captain Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick insist the Springboks won’t underestimate an injury-ravaged and youthful Wales when the teams clash on Saturday.
The Welsh Rugby Union on Friday announced that veteran wing Alex Cuthbert, who had been due to make his first appearance of the World Cup warm-up campaign this weekend in Cardiff, had pulled out because of calf muscle tightness.
He was the third player from the original starting XV for the Welsh Dragons elected to face South Africa who was forced to withdraw, following injuries to Dan Biggar (back) and Liam Williams (hamstring) in midweek.
The loss of Williams, Cuthbert and Biggar means Wales are now set to field an inexperienced back division against the Boks that has won just 39 caps in total – with 17 of those belonging to scrumhalf Kieran Hardy.
MORE: I just want to play – Kolisi
Blindside flanker Jac Morgan, at only 23 years old, will steer lead his country against the world champions at the Principality Stadium, but speaking in a Bok conference on Friday, Kolisi and Stick emphasised the importance of showing Wales respect.
“We respect Wales a lot,” said Kolisi, who will make his first Test appearance of 2023 on Saturday. “They are similar to us in many ways, because they are hard-working individuals who don’t get things easy. They can take you to dark places, so it’s going to be a tough test.
“In the 2019 World Cup semi-final they played very similarly to us, and in the end, one penalty goal separated the teams.
“[Morgan’s] a good leader. He may be 23 years old, but he has good leaders around him that will help him a lot. He’s the kind of guy that wants to lead by example, so I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing against him.”
Stick reiterated the skipper’s message, adding: “It’s always tough to play Wales at home. They are tough people with a high work rate, and it shows in the way they play.
ALSO: Third Wales star ruled out of Bok clash
“They have a few young players coming through the system and I have no doubt they’ll want to show they deserve to be there.
“Yes, it’s a big loss for them to lose those experienced guys but again, the youngsters who are coming through in those systems – I think of a Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Grant Williams in our team – are guys getting opportunities and all now want to prove to the coach that they’ve got what it takes to be at this level and go to the World Cup.
“They gave us a run in [July] last year, while they also showed against England that they are moving in the right direction. It’s going to be a tough grind and we must pitch up to beat them.
“They are a team that knows how to play championship games, and if you don’t respect them, they can punish you.
“It’s not going to be easy, and those youngsters are lifting their hands up. We just want to keep improving and build that momentum towards the World Cup.”
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter
