Davies urges Wales to come out on top in Boks ‘arm-wrestle’
Jonathan Davies has stressed the importance of Wales staying patient when they tackle world champions South Africa today.
Scarlets centre Davies takes over the captaincy from an injured Alun Wyn Jones as Wales target a fifth successive home victory over the Springboks.
A number of other injury absentees include Jones' fellow British and Irish Lions Ken
Owens, Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric and George North.
But Wales, beaten 54-16 by New Zealand in their Autumn Nations Series opener last weekend, are bolstered by returning stars such as Louis Rees-zammit and Dan Biggar.
"There has been a huge focus this week on the physicality that South Africa bring, the huge kicking battle it will be and the importance of staying in that and making sure we don't lose patience," Davies said. "They are world champions and they know how to win games.
"Our focus this week is mak
ing sure in that arm-wrestle we come out on top and making sure when our opportunities come that we take them.
"Those victories we've had at home, I think it has come down to physicality from us, the ability to move the ball and just change the point of attack.
"When you play these very good teams, you have to make sure that all aspects of your game have to be on point to earn the victory. We understand the task ahead with South Africa and their physicality.
"You have to be smart, play in the right areas, make sure we control the tempo of the game, where the game is played and not fall in the trap of how South Africa want to play."
Jones faces shoulder surgery and a lengthy lay-off, with 92 times-capped Davies stepping into a leadership role he filled this summer against Canada and Argentina when his long-serving colleague was on Lions duty in South Africa.
"Obviously, it's a loss to lose your captain. Al is a good mate, and it is just sad to see him go," Davies added.
"It's down to us to make sure that the senior players pick up the pieces to make sure that we are all trying to fill his boots. They are pretty big boots to fill.
"We are all aware of the quality we have in this squad.”