WALES v SPRINGBOKS Preview | Autumn Nations Series 2024 | Selection Reaction Score Prediction + RANT

[@OwainThomas-j8p]

I'm a lifelong Wales fan, just about old enough to remember the bleakest days at the end of the 90s, those heavy defeats, the wooden spoon in the Five Nations, and the sense that Welsh rugby was losing its identity in the professional era. It felt like the golden days of Gareth Edwards, Barry John, and JPR Williams were a distant memory. But then came the resurgence: the Grand Slams in the 2000s and 2010s, the World Number 1 spot, the grit and fire of players like Shane Williams, Sam Warburton, AWJ and Tipuric. Those were the moments that reminded me why you stick with this team, through thick and thin. Now, in another tough era, it feels like we’re back in the tunnel, searching for that light. The financial struggles in Welsh rugby, player exoduses, and inconsistency on the field make it hard to keep hope alive. But if history has taught us anything, it's that Welsh rugby always finds a way to bounce back. The valleys, the passion, the pride-it's still there, waiting for the right moment to reignite. The rot doesn't start or end with Gatland, but as much as I respect him and admire what he has achieved, I think he needs to go. The negativity surrounding his leadership is at best distracting, and at worst detrimental to the moral of the team. Hold on to this: Rugby is cyclical, and this tunnel, no matter how dark, isn’t endless. Keep the faith. After all, we’ve seen Wales rise from the ashes before. It’s what we do.

[@johannblignaut1966]

Such a well written comment.I also believe Wales will rise again.🇿🇦

[@PeterRichardson-z2p]

And the most amazing thing is that the world beating Welsh team is alive and playing in Wales. Hold the line, and your time will come.

[@trevormclean-anderson8803]

I think you are spot on with your analysis. Wales is a rugby nation and the players will come. South Africa was there only 5 years ago. There probably needs to be some structural change at club and grassroots level. I reckon one of the biggest things that helped SA was the availability of foreign based players. This enables many for potential Springboks to be playing professional rugby. While I hope that the Boks have a big win on Saturday, also hoping for the Welsh boys to have a good game and to be able to leave the field with their heads held high. I think if they compete I. The scrum and hold the Boks to less than 20 - that would be a good result. If they pull off a win - lot of humble pie to be eaten. All this negative talk must be very motivating and could galvanise them somewhat? But then I look at the Bok bench… sheesh

[@GraemeRiggien]

You hit it on the head ,well put ,as a saffa,I think we going to see some Welsh pride on Saturday regardless of the result

[@atholwiehahn1070]

Nice commentary😊😊

[@StopTheRot]

I don’t think we could have got close to SA, but I would have loved to have seen Eddie James start.

[@LifeLine_JC]

If the bokke stay humble and give the Wales team the respect they deserves the bokke will definitely succeed with a win over the red dragons... History lesson if we fly to high we get smashed back to earth quickly it's just the way it is... Go Bokke 💚💛,

[@jacquesotto1289]

We are humble. We dont forsee a win ever. We play for the win on the day. Wales is a proud nation. I had the honor to Wales vs Ireland in Cardiff. Wow, no better city to watch a game in. The city becomes a massive celebration of the game. Slept in my car hehehe

[@garethmckee5927]

Does anyone know the betting odds for SA scoring 100+? Having asked that, let’s hope the boys can channel Rorkes Drift and do something special.

[@atholwiehahn1070]

Boks must test all their guns against Wales😮😮forget score line

[@claudescholtz1055]

57 - 15 , I suppose I don't have to say for who - but this can get ugly, but you never know it is a test match after all

[@Jesus_is_Lord_316]

I believe Ox Nche is out?

[@myshepspud1]

Yes. Thomas Du Toit shifts to loose head and Wilco Louw at tight head. Don't lose much at all to be honest Thomas is a machine and Wilco would've played since his debut with other sides.

[@RozWentworth]

Saffa here.. don't want to be too critical.. but bruhh. .do your homework thoroughly on Boks first prior go giving nonsensical 1c..i.w Pollard...he 8acthe best 1😅0 in the world.. his role on the bench is to come in and save the day if we are lagging...he is our security blanketHo check out the no 1😅0 Hendrickse brother in playing for Sharks ..he kicked over a 57m kick...he is phenomenal 😮...to both teams. .looking forward to a good game and I trust both teams will show up on the day. .lets go🎉🎉🎉

[@Brucemcleod2345]

Australia are rebuilding but the wheels are still falling off Wales. Wales need to get a new coach and then get some wins and confidence against Uruguay, Portugal, Spain and Japan etc.

[@Dumberic]

Boks 96, Wales 17, if we (Wales) play well!

[@Sunshinez732]

That's not going to happen. If the Boks win, maximum 20 points. Nothing is guaranteed.

[@rabbitss11]

Wales have got nothing to lose so this game might have a kind of end of term feel to it, of course SA will win but not by the huge margins a lot of people are predicting, probably wrong

[@markmorgan6214]

Today's games could be a car crash for the welsh team. I flip between Wales playing out of their skins and keeping within 15 to Wales getting an absolute tuning by 70+.

[@FilmDecoded000]

Are Josh Adams & Liam Williams injured?

[@thereader6667]

Both unfit

[@FilmDecoded000]

@@thereader6667 both of them are big losses for Wales

[@thereader6667]

@ I agree, although Adam’s discipline can let him down.

[@howardthomas5419]

Call me pessimistic - but I fancy SA will edge it by 35 pts

[@myshepspud1]

Always my fellow bok plans overrating we won't score anything like that against someone we meant to.

[@claudescholtz1055]

Yip this is a test and the Welsh players will defend as hell, if the wall breaks early there might be some problems though

[@RalphParsons-o9d]

When your pack is submitting 15m @ 30km how can 9-15 do anything? 68 -12

[@StopTheRot]

It hurts me to say this, but I think: 52-0 0-52 for the pedants out there!

[@henryterblans3482]

Don't be to contact springboks Wales can bring a up seded I am a south african Don't think it is going to be easy bokke

[@sandorclegane3658]

I'd like to apologize for what my Springboks are going to do to Wales. Please, please leave your children are home and don't let them watch.

[@Jesus_is_Lord_316]

Boks 65 - 17 Wales

[@thereader6667]

Can’t see Wales scoring that many..only scored 20 against Australia

[@Shamankzn]

The Welsh Rugby Union are doing nothing to improve the game in Wales. Blaming Gatland is lazy and disingenuous, how can he go from saviour to villain when the only things that have changed are the names that are available for selection. The rules are the issue, reduce the number of URC teams to two, and you create a system that exposes too few players to elite rugby and this is not sustainable. However, if you reduce the number of teams to 2 AND bin the cap rule, this will allow Welsh teams to discover talent and then that talent can go to France, the Prem, other URC teams, etc to gain experience whilst still being available to Wales for national duty. Whatever they decide, I wish Wales a speedy return to the top table, their history demands it.

[@StopTheRot]

Refusing to see Gatland’s flaws is equally lazy.

[@claudescholtz1055]

I don't think it is Gatland, if you don't have the cattle you can't farm. I have a soft spot for Wales, the rugby public should demand that you change the stupid 25 rule