Wales vs South Africa Prediction: Boks to add to Welsh woes

While on an 11-game losing streak the last team Wales would want to face are South Africa, but it is indeed the reigning world champions up next for Warren Gatland’s side on Saturday (17:40 kick-off).

Having suffered a 52-20 defeat at the hands of Australia last weekend, with the Wallabies also seeing centre Samu Kerevi sent off in that game, Wales are struggling to take any positives out of this Autumn Nations Series. With 2024 Rugby Championship winners South Africa in Cardiff this weekend, things might get even worse for Gatland’s Wales before they get better.

Team news

Starting with the Welsh, Gatland has made four changes from the side that were thumped by the Wallabies last weekend.

Sam Costelow comes in at fly-half for Gareth Anscombe, while Blair Murray moves from the wing to replace Cameron Winnett at full-back, with winger Rio Dyer returning to the backline.

Meanwhile in the pack, Exeter second-row Christ Tshiunza replaces the injured Adam Beard, while No.8 Taine Plumtree comes in for Aaron Wainwright.

Rassie Erasmus has decided to rest loosehead prop Ox Nche, with Wilco Louw starting in his place, although Thomas du Toit will move across from tighthead in the reshuffle.

Cheslin Kolbe and Damian de Allende will again be key performers in a strong backline.

Match odds: Wales vs South Africa

South Africa are the overwhelming 1/100 favourites to pick up the win, with Wales 16/1 to end their 11-game winless run in spectacular fashion against the world champions. A draw is currently available at 28/1.

South Africa -28 handicap @ 21/20

Given how South Africa dispatched Scotland and England in this Autumn Nations Series, it’s hard to see 2024 Six Nations wooden spoon winners Wales having any chance of causing an upset against the Boks in Cardiff.

The ferocious physicality South Africa bring to the table is likely to be too much for this fragile Welsh defence, they allowed Australia to score 52 points last weekend.

A -28 handicap looks substantial but, given the gulf in class between these two sides, the Springboks are capable of overcoming the deficit at the Principality.

Damian de Allende anytime tryscorer @ 2/1

Australia were able to punch holes through the Welsh defence at will in the second half last weekend and South Africa have some frightening ball carriers that will look to do the same on Saturday.

The 6ft 2in and 106kg inside centre Damian de Allende is just one of those players who will be tough to stop in Cardiff this weekend.

De Allende will likely target fly-half Costelow in the Welsh backline and give the half-back plenty of work to do in defence.

Never shy of putting in the work and carrying the ball up the middle to make space for others, De Allende could well reap the rewards for his efforts with his own try on Saturday.

De Allende has 11 Test tries in his career to date and can add to his tally in this one.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.