This match against the under-pressure Welsh team will mark the conclusion of a gruelling but largely successful year for the Springboks. 

In 2024, the Boks tied their two-Test series against Ireland 1-1, claimed their first Rugby Championship title since 2019 by winning five of six games, and recorded victories against Wales (twice), Scotland, and England.

However, despite their 32-15 win over Scotland in Edinburgh and a 29-20 victory against England in London, the back-to-back World Champions struggled to reach peak form during their end-of-year tour.

Wales, currently on an 11-Test losing streak, will be eager to prove a point. Facing the world’s top-ranked team presents a prime opportunity to turn their fortunes around.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi stressed the importance of delivering a strong performance to close out the year positively.

Jesse Kriel. Photo: Morgan Piek

“First of all, the Welsh team ... I know their score last week wasn’t great, but their forwards secured over five penalties in the scrums. They have a pack capable of standing up to anyone,” Kolisi said on the eve of the Test.

“That’s already a great foundation for them. For us, the focus has been on ourselves and what we need to improve as a team. We want to ensure a better team performance.

“While we won our last two games, we didn’t fully achieve the standards we were aiming for. Winning is always the most important thing, but as a group, we’re looking for stronger, more cohesive performances to close out the year and evaluate what has worked and what hasn’t.

Malcolm Marx. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Last week, we had a lot of plans, but a few individual moments stood out rather than a collective effort. That said, when it mattered most, the team stepped up.

“We’ve played Wales many times, and every game here is a battle. Beating them in Cardiff is always tough. Many of us have experienced losses here, so we know they’ll fight for 80 minutes. They won’t back down, and that’s exactly what we’re preparing for this weekend.”

The Test between Wales and the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium kicks off at 19:40 on Saturday night.

Jaden Hendriks. Photo: Morgan Piek

Wales - 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 James Botham, 5 Will Rowlands, 4 Christ Tshiunza, 3 Gareth Thomas, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Archie Griffin

Replacements - 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Eddie James, 23 Josh Hathaway

Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Thomas du Toit

Replacements – 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Handré Pollard

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg