Wales vs South Africa predictions, tips, odds and lineups (Autumn Internationals - 29/11/2014)

Saturday, 29 November 2014 12:38
Written by Simon Bettarini

Wales hope to channel some of the spirit shown against New Zealand when they welcome South Africa to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday in their last Autumn Internationals test match. This article contains our WALES v SOUTH AFRICA betting preview with match tips, predictions, best odds, lineups, free bets and no deposit bonuses!

WALES v SOUTH AFRICA FREE BETTING PREVIEW Wales haven't beaten a Southern Hemisphere Tier One team since 2008 and are desperate to end a 23-match losing streak. The Welsh went down 16-34 to the All Blacks last week - still leading with 12 minutes to play, before three late tries scored by New Zealand. Prior to that match, Wales lost by five points against Australia in their opener and then only managed to beat Fiji by four points in a disappointing display.

Gatland has made three enforced changes to his run-on team, with Liam Williams notably coming in for injured Northampton wing George North. Gethin Jenkins and Scott Baldwin come into the side too but the absence of hooker Richard Hibbard is a huge blow.

South Africa have notched up the year's sole defeat of New Zealand and also having only ever lost to Wales once in 29 clashes. Since succumbing to Ireland in their first tour fixture, the Springboks have embarked on a European rampage, dishing defeats to England and Italy in successive weeks.

Meyer made eight changes to his team from the one that beat Italy last week. In the backline, Johan Goosen and Bryan Habana return to their clubs Racing Metro and Toulon with Willie Le Roux and Lwasi Mvovo taking their place. The other change is on the wing with Cornal Hendricks returning to the side as JP Pietersen has been dropped out of the squad. The remaining two changes see Bismarck du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira starting with Strauss and Nyakane dropping to the bench.

Wales are in a terrible run of form against the Springboks, having lost the last sixteen internationals against the Boks. The last time South Africa played Wales, the Boks came back from deficits of 0-17 and 17-30 to triumph 31-30 in Nelspruit.

WALES v SOUTH AFRICA PREVIOUS RESULTS

2014: South Africa won 31-30 in Nelspruit
2014: South Africa won 38-16 in Durban
2013: South Africa won 25-14 in Cardiff
2011: South Africa won 17-16 in Wellington
2010: South Africa won 29-25 in Cardiff
2010: South Africa won 34-31 in Cardiff
2008: South Africa won 20-15 in Cardiff
2008: South Africa won 37-21 in Pretoria
2008: South Africa won 43-17 in Bloemfontein

WALES v SOUTH AFRICA LINEUPS Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Gethin Jenkins.

Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 James King, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Scott Williams.

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian de Allende.

WALES v SOUTH AFRICA FREE BEST ODDS