PRESSURE ALL ON BOKS AS WALES REFUSE TO WILT
A BATTERED and bruised Wales have defied all the odds to go into today’s deciding Test in South Africa with a chance of sealing what would be a remarkable series win. Head coach Wayne Pivac believes the pressure is on the Springboks for the third Test in Cape Town given it was expected before the tour that they would prevail at a canter. That has not proven to be the case. Wales, with their backs to the wall, have excelled. In the backyard of the world champions, Pivac’s men should have won the first Test and did claim victory in the second. Now, both sides are ready to enter win-or-bust territory. ‘I think there’ll be pressure on the home team because going in they were red hot favourites,’ Pivac said. ‘To take it to the last game adds a little bit of pressure. It’s like in any sport. In a Davis Cup you can have a dead rubber. The match still gets played, but it doesn’t quite have the same significance. We’re pleased to come into this week with something to play for. ‘It’s about getting it right mentally now. It’s been three hard weeks. To be in the race is very pleasing. It (a series win) would mean the world to the team. They have worked hard to get into this position.’
Wales shocked South Africa 13-12 in the second Test to claim their first victory on Springbok soil against a team containing 14 changes and six uncapped players. Head coach Jacques Nienaber has brought back the big guns for this weekend. Wales’ only change is second Test matchwinner Josh Adams replacing injured Alex Cuthbert on the wing. Captain Dan Biggar and key prop Dillon Lewis have made ‘miraculous’ recoveries. Both were forced off with shoulder and elbow problems in Bloemfontein last Saturday but are fit to start. ‘The main thing for us is making sure the boys have petrol in the tank ready to go for Saturday,’ added Pivac. ‘A few are banged up, but it’s a big occasion and one the players are looking forward to. We would like to think the effort will be there as it has been in the first two Tests.’
SOUTH AFRICA: Willemse; Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, Hendrikse; Nyakane, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, De Jager, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Wiese. WALES: L Williams; Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Adams; Biggar (capt), Hardy; Thomas, Elias, Lewis, Rowlands, Beard, Lydiate, Reffell, Faletau. Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng). Kick-off: 4.05pm. TV: LIVE on Sky Sports Action.