Springboks weary but set to prevail again

THE South Africans regard tomorrow's international against Wales as a stage too far in what has been a hectic year which started with the Super 12 series in March. It will be their 13th Test in 166 days. They were lured to Cardiff believing they would be bringing the curtain down on the National Stadium before the bulldozers moved in.

In the event, the contractors decided they did not have to start work until February which means the United States and Ireland will follow the Springboks before the construction of the new 70,000 all seater stadium begins.

The South Africa coach Andre Markgraaf is not amused. "Most of the players are coming to the end of what has been a 12 month season. Really, we should never have accepted this itinerary."

Markgraaf is a laconic individual who left for the start of the tour having received death threats after dropping a nation's idol, Francois Pienaar. Results have vindicated the coach, or at least consolidated his position. Emphatic victories against Argentina in Buenos Aires were followed by a 2-0 series victory in France and despite their fatigue and desire to return home, the same team which won those four internationals is determined to make it five in Cardiff.

"It may not be an ideal match for us but we are professionals and will be going all out for victory," said the South Africa captain Gary Teichmann. "Wales will make it very hard for us and we expect them to throw everything at us for the first 30 minutes. We have to hang in there and impose our game on them."

Wales are not enjoying the best of seasons, a common enough occurrence this decade, defeats by France and Australia surrounding a lacklustre display in Italy. The innocent gusto they displayed in last season's International Championship has been replaced by a careworn, more functional approach but they have yet to find the right formation in any of the three departments at forward.

While South Africa have power and pace up front, Wales have neither. After being routed at the line out by two makeshift Australian second rows, Wales have chosen five jumpers and will show more variation tomorrow with the number eight Steve Williams used as a rover.

One of Wales's problems recently is that they have tended to be a reactive side. After two heavy defeats in Australia in the summer, ball retention was the priority with big back rows forwards hunted. After Australia, the line out has assumed prime significance. Their preparations yesterday were disrupted when the centre Allan Bateman, a late replacement for the injured Gareth Thomas, and the second row Gareth Llewellyn were stuck on a train outside Reading because of a previous derailment while the squad was training in Cardiff.

"Few people will give us a chance, not least because we have never beaten South Africa in nine attempts," said the coach Kevin Bowring. "If sport were merely about the form book, there would be no point in anyone taking part. We know it will be our hardest match this year but we will go into it believing that we can win. We are good enough but we have to start putting our game together over 80 minutes."

Wales have not beaten a major southern hemisphere nation since they pipped Australia for third place in the 1999 World Cup and the nearest they have come to defeating South Africa was when they drew 6-6 in 1970.

"You have to build yourselves up," said Dale McIntosh, one of two new caps tomorrow. "At Pontypridd we take the field expecting to win every game. It has to be the same with Wales. You cannot go out there just hoping to do well. Only our all will do."