CAN WALES BASH BOKS TO PUT WINNING RUN ON CLOUD NINE?
All the autumn finale news, views and analysis:
WALES welcome South Africa to the Principality Stadium this weekend as they aim to complete an autumn clean sweep.
But this is the best ‘Boks team that has travelled to these shores in years and as such, it’s a close one to call.
MATTHEW SOUTHCOMBE looks at the head-to-heads based on current form...
Liam Williams 8 v 8 Willie le Roux
Not a great deal to separate these two. Both have obvious world-class talents with Liam Williams bang in form at the moment.
Wales will need to kick far better to le Roux than they have done in recent weeks or he will punish them in open play.
George North 7 v 6 S’Busiso Nkosi
The Welshman is threatening to break out into some of his best form, enjoying life at the Ospreys and impressing against Scotland before injury forced him off against Australia. Nkosi still has a bit to learn on the international stage but could develop into one of the top wingers in the world.
Jonathan Davies 9 v 7 Jesse Kriel
The Welshman has quashed any doubts after returning from a year out of the game by producing two brilliant performances against Scotland and Australia. Kriel seems to be on a never-ending quest to live up to the potential that we think he has.
Hadleigh Parkes 6 v 7 Damian de Allende
By his lofty standards, Parkes is in a rut, but will have happy memories about 2017 against South Africa. The Springbok is never really spoken about, but is a handful for any defence.
Josh Adams 7 v 7 Aphiwe Dyantyi
Adams has been growing with each game on the international stage and gets a lot of credit for the way he performed against Australia. Dyantyi has shown the potential to be an absolute world star but now has to prove it.
Gareth Anscombe 8 v 8 Handre Pollard
The Cardiff Blues pivot can tighten his grip on the No.10 jersey with another quality performance this weekend.
Pollard’s career stuttered somewhat after the 2015 World Cup but he’s back. Scored 18 points in the win over Scotland last weekend.
Gareth Davies 6 v 6 Embrose Papier
Some wanted Tomos Williams to get the nod today and tDavies will want to respond this weekend. Papier has leapfrogged Ivan van Zyl as South Africa’s second choice and starts in the absence of Faf de Klerk. Will be a threat but still cutting his teeth at this level.
Nicky Smith 7 v 7 Steven Kitshoff
Smith is a decent scrummager but useful in the loose. Can solidify his claim to the loosehead position with another good showing. Kitshoff won’t make many headlines but does a job.
Ken Owens 8 v 8 Malcolm Marx
A genuine battle on at hooker. Owens has been an absolute warrior for Wales this autumn and Marx is arguably up there as the best around.
Tomas Francis 7 v 7 Frans Malherbe
Really not much to choose between the two tight-heads.
Both are limited in what they can offer in the loose so it will really come down to who can anchor their scrum the best.
Adam Beard 7 v 7 RG Snyman
The young Osprey has done nothing but impress for Wales but must keep producing. Snyman iwill know that chances in the green jersey may be harder to come by as Eben Etzebeth returns from injury.
Alun Wyn Jones 9 v 7 Franco Mostert
There’s not much to be said about Jones that hasn’t already been said. He continues to produce at the highest level and will continue to be regarded among the best in the world as long as that continues to happen. Mostert is not on Jones’ level but he’s no rookie.
Dan Lydiate 8 v 8 Siya Kolisi
It appeared at one stage that Lydiate’s international career may be fading out but he’s really reminded everyone of his value this autumn. The Springbok captain may consider himself lucky to be available after the controversy at Murrayfield but his quality, work rate and sheer grit could cause Wales real problems.
Justin Tipuric 9 v 8 PieterSteph du Toit
Tipuric is as close as anyone will get to nailing down that No.7 jersey in Wales given the quality available right now. Jake White described du Toit as the most talented player he’d ever coached and has been in undroppable form this autumn.
Ross Moriarty 6 v 8 Duane Vermeulen
The Welshman hasn’t let Wales down but we haven’t seen the typical defence-busting runs and big hits we’ve come to expect from the abrasive Dragon. Vermeulen’s power gives him the ability to make the very best look silly. Keeping him quiet must be a priority for Wales.