Warburton: Stand by for Springbok shock
SAM Warburton insists Wales can prove their doubters wrong and spring a summer series shock against world champions South Africa.
Wayne Pivac’s side slipped to a fifth-place finish in this year’s Six Nations but former Wales skipper Warburton, who racked up 74 caps between 2009 and 2017, knows the Dragons have a habit of delivering when the chips are down.
Warburton, 33, says winning one Test can lay down a statement ahead of next year’s World Cup. “They’ve got a three-Test series in South Africa and I think one away win is achievable,” he said. “There’s a lot of negative press going around saying about how many injuries they’re going to have, but when the squad was actually announced, I looked at it and I thought that the field’s going to be really strong and really good. “There’s something about Wales that when the chips are down, everyone writes them off, but we are better than what people think. Of course South Africa are going to be redhot favourites to win the series, but I do fancy Wales for one victory.
“It’s going to be arguably the hardest summer tour we’ve had for a long time, but if Wales can get one victory out of three, that will be successful.” Warburton, left, believes Wales can bounce back in style from their shock 22-21 defeat against Italy in the Six Nations.
“I hadn’t seen Wales lose to Italy since I was a young boy, so you have very proud records against certain teams,” he added.
“I was so disappointed as a Welshman and as a fan, just gutted for the players and coaches. I’ve worked with them as a player and as a coach, so I know how much effort they put in.
“But, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I made plenty of mistakes in my career, much worse than what they did in the Six Nations. So, if Wales can bounce back and have a good, respectable campaign in South Africa and then slowly start building towards the World Cup.
“I’m always glass halffull and think things happen for a reason – I think it will sharpen the mind of the team and they will come back better.”
Warburton added: “I worked with Wayne for a year as a coach and I really liked him, which is why Wales have kept faith in him and it’s a learning experience for everybody involved in that team.
“Even someone like Warren Gatland, who’s been an enormous success in Wales, there were some quiet years in those 10 years as well and then people would be calling for his head.
“I know it’s tough for the Welsh public but I just say: be a bit patient and we are going to be in a period of transition. Wales have adopted a slightly different style. We might not have immediate success but if you’re putting the right building blocks in place, in a few years’ time we should be back to where we were.”
Sam Warburton is a Land Rover ambassador. For more information on the new Range Rover visit landrover.co.uk