Springbok: Wales team compared to a cornered dog

Springbok Jean Kleyn anticipates a tough challenge from a determined Wales team, despite their setbacks, when the two sides face off on Saturday.

These two teams head into this season finale in contrasting form. The Springboks have won 10 of their 12 Tests in this calendar year, while Wales are on an 11-match losing streak (all 10 of their Tests in 2024 and their World Cup pool game against Georgia last November).

A win for the Springboks would see them complete an end-of-year tour clean sweep for the first time since 2013, while another loss would extended Wales’ unwanted losing record to 12 as well as prompt head coach Warren Gatland’s exit.

The Test at the Millennium Stadium, which kicks off at 19h40 (SA time), marks the Boks’ final encounter of the year, and it’s also the last match of the Outgoing Tour.

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Kleyn, who will make his first appearance in the Springbok jersey since the Rugby World Cup final last year, was delighted to be back in the team and warned that Wales would be “dangerous” a prospect when the teams meet in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Springbok second rower expected a massive onslaught from Wales, who went down against 52-20 against Australia last week, but he said that would charge the hosts up even more going into the match.

“I think we can expect desperation from them,” said Kleyn. “A dog in the corner is always dangerous, so we’re definitely preparing for a for a big fight, especially in the first 20 minutes.

“They are going to come out with a lot of emotion, so it’s going to tough, but we have plans in place to deal with their threats, and we’ve been working on areas that could make us a little more threatening,” the returning Springbok added.

“They’re a team with a lot of youngsters who want to prove a point, and particularly since it’s the last game of the season and they are now 11 down, so they’d definitely love to finish the season by beating world champions.”