The double world champion Springboks get their 2024 Check marketing campaign underway towards Wales at Twickenham in London on Saturday with a squad comprised of seasoned veterans and 4 debutants.
South Africa v Wales
Saturday 22 June 2024 | 15:00
Twickenham
Rassie Erasmus and Warren Gatland will renew hostilities on impartial floor when the back-to-back World Champion Springboks face off towards a Welsh outfit nonetheless choosing up the items after going winless within the 2024 Six Nations. Shaun Goosen previews.
To Win Match
South Africa 1/25 | Draw 33/1 | Wales 9/1
Handicap
South Africa (-20.5) 9/10 | Wales (+20.5) 9/10
Very similar to he did within the opening Check match of 2018, Pieter-Steph du Toit will lead one thing of an experimental Springbok facet towards Wales, albeit this time in London fairly than Washington D.C.
Except for the 15 gamers concerned in final yr’s World Cup, Rassie Erasmus has opted to incorporate 4 uncapped gamers within the squad, with Jordan Hendrikse at flyhalf, Edwill van der Merwe at No 14 and Ben-Jason Dixon (lock) and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (utility again) set to be launched off the bench.
In the meantime, the likes of Aphelele Fassi, Evan Roos, Salmaan Moerat and Ntuthuko Mchunu shall be determined to make massive splashes (the latter two as subs) as they endeavour to cement themselves as squad regulars over the course of the following World Cup cycle.
With the seismic two-game Eire Check collection kicking off on 6 July, Saturday’s conflict at Twickenham will present the Boks with a chance to shake off the rust, although they may have to take action and not using a contingent of Bulls and overseas-based gamers who’re set to affix up with the squad quickly.
Six Nations wood spoonists Wales are within the thick of a serious rebuilding section beneath wily Warren Gatland and characterize an excellent place for the Boks to start out their preparations for the brand new season. The Dragons are hardly pushovers and can relish the bodily stuff however received’t be capable to match the Bok depth for the complete 80 minutes.
Verdict: Wales (+20.5) 9/10
Get on Erasmus’ males to overwhelm the Welsh within the trenches and lay the platform for a cushty win. The handicap is a stretch too tall although.
