South Africa vs Wales Prediction: Welsh set for Durban drubbing

A one-sided Nations Championship encounter might well be on the cards on Saturday (16:40 BST, live on ITV1), as reigning world champions South Africa host Wales at Kings Park.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his South Africa vs Wales prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in Durban.

South Africa vs Wales Odds

Such is the expectation going into this game, South Africa are the 1/100 favourites for the win, while Wales are out at 25/1 to stun the world champs in their own backyard.

A tie in Durban is 80/1, while a Springbok victory by a margin of 1-12 points inclusive is 11/1.

Team News

South Africa start with a front row of Gerhard Steenekamp, Malcolm Marx and Carlu Sadie, with locks Cobus Wiese and Ruben van Heerden in behind.

Paul de Villiers, skipper Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese complete the pack, while Cobus Reinach and Vusi Moyo combine in the half-backs.

Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel start in the centres, while Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jaco Williams and Aphelele Fassi form the back three for the Boks.

As for Wales, the visitors go with Rhys Carre, captain Dewi Lake and Dillon Lewis in the front row, with Teddy Williams and Adam Beard in the second row.

Alex Mann, Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright are the starting back row, with Tomos Williams and Dan Edwards combining in the half-backs.

Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn are the centres, with Wales opting for a back three of Josh Adams, Louis Rees-Zammit and Blair Murray.

South Africa -40 handicap @ 5/6

Wales have had an issue with defence for some time now and Steve Tandy’s side face the ultimate test against the Springboks in Durban this weekend.

Argentina simply walked in some of their tries against Wales last weekend at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, as the Pumas earned a 35-21 victory in San Juan.

Wales had some moments with the ball in hand but Argentina didn’t have to hit top gear to claim that victory.

South Africa were made to work for their 42-28 win over Scotland at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday but such is the strength in depth in the Springboks camp, they can make 10 changes for this encounter with Wales.

The Boks earned a 73-0 win over Wales in Cardiff back in November and Rassie Erasmus’ side are backed to cover the -40 handicap on offer here in Durban.

Jesse Kriel anytime tryscorer @ 10/11

Powerful centre Jesse Kriel is in a rich vein of form and is worth considering in the anytime tryscorer market.

Scoring in his last three appearances for the Boks against the Barbarians, England and Scotland, Kriel is good value at 10/11 to continue his try-scoring run against a Welsh defence that could be overrun at Kings Park.