Boks braced for ‘slippery’ Wales in semi-final

PARTY-POOPERS South Africa will need to be at their very best to overturn recent history against Wales in this weekend’s World Cup semi-final, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk warned on Wednesday.

Warren Gatland’s side represent a clear and present danger to South Africa’s title hopes, the Welsh having beaten the two-time world champions in five of their previous six meetings following years of Springboks dominance.

To avoid slipping on a potential banana skin, de Klerk promised the Boks would come out firing in Yokohama on Sunday after ending the fairytale run of hosts Japan with a 26-3 mauling of the tournament darl i ngs l ast weekend.

“It’s definitely going to be a slippery one,” said the pintsized scrum-half with the flowing blonde locks.

“But as a team we’re more in tune with how they want to play. Whoever you play in a World Cup semi-final, they’re going to pose threats – not just Wales. Any team could be a bogey team on the day.We’re just going to have to be up for it.”

De Klerk added: “It’s going to be a massive battle in the air. It’s going to come down to three or four moments.”

South Africa, who have failed to reach the World Cup final since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup i n 2007, finished behind defending champions New Zealand in Pool B after losing 23-13 to the All Blacks in their opening game.

B u t a s s i s t a n t c o a c h Mzwandile Stick insisted the Springboks were coming to the boil nicely after that early wake-up call.

“We were guilty in that New Zealand game of not converting our opportunities into points,” he said, promising a more clinical performance against Wales, who edged 14-man France 20-19 in their quarter-final.

‘Suffocate teams’

“We’re expecting a tough battle against Wales, especially with their kicking game,” added Stick.

“Wales are a territory-driven team and always suffocate teams – they don’t allow them to come into their half. It’s going to be key for us that when we get our opportunities, we convert them.

“If you look at [Gareth] Davies at nine and guys like [Liam] Williams and [Dan] Biggar – these are guys who’ve been around. They’ve got a lot of experience.”

But Stick tipped explosive wingers Makazole Mapimpi, who has bagged 13 tries in 12 Tests, including two against Japan, and Cheslin Kolbe (seven in 13) to terrorise the Welsh, noting: “Makazole has always been one of the best finishers in the game.”

Kolbe, who has been playi ng on a sore a n k le si nce S out h A f r ic a’s t h i rd pool game against Italy t wo weeks ago, shou ld be f it to play, added Stick.

With the winners set to face

New Zea la nd or Engla nd in t he f inal, Stick a lso weighed i n on t he “spy-g ate” row t hat er upted when Engla nd coach Eddie Jones cla i med team of f icia ls had spotted a hidden camera filming their training.

England assistant coach John Mitchell, a Kiwi and former New Zealand boss, suggested the secret sleuths had been sent by the All Blacks.

“I find it stupid to do it,” said Stick. “You’re not only fooling yourself, or cheating the people around you. You’re cheating to the world.

“I don’t t hink we will ever do s omet h i ng l i k e t hat ,” he added. “It ’s not pa r t of what we sta nd for as Sout h Africans.”