South Africa vs Wales Predictions: Springboks to produce dominant display

The first of four internationals for Wales across June and July takes place on Saturday (14:00) as Warren Gatland’s men face World Cup champions South Africa at Twickenham.

Here's my South Africa vs Wales predictions for the weekend clash.

South Africa vs Wales Odds

Unsurprisingly, the world champions are hot favourites for victory at 1/28, whereas Wales are 10/1 to stun the Springboks.

The tie provides odds of 28/1, while Makazole Mapimpi is the favourite to be the first player to score a try on Saturday at 15/2.

Team News

Only four members of the Wales starting XV from their last outing - a 24-21 Six Nations defeat to Italy in Cardiff - have kept their places. They are prop Gareth Thomas, number eight Aaron Wainwright, fly-half Sam Costelow and winger Rio Dyer.

The scrum sees Thomas partnered with Dewi Lake and Henry Thomas in the front-row, with Dragons duo Matthew Screech and Ben Carter just behind them. Taine Plumtree, James Botham and Wainwright make up the rest of the forward pack.

Scrum-half Ellis Bevan will make his debut and is supported by Costelow at fly-half. Dyer will start on the left-wing with the experienced Liam Williams on the right, with the remaining backs seeing Mason Grady and Owen Watkin in the centres as well as Cameron Winnett at full-back.

The Springboks have a mixture of experience and debutants amongst their matchday squad, with two new faces set to be involved from the off.

They are fly-half Jordan Hendrikse and winger Edwill van der Merwe, while the likes of scrum-half Faf de Klerk and centre Makazole Mapimpi can offer their World Cup winning expertise alongside them in the backs.

Eben Etzebeth and Kwagga Smith are amongst the starters in the scrum alongside Pieter-Steph Du Toit, who captains the side in the absence of Siya Kolisi.

South Africa to win by 21-25 points @ 11/2

South Africa have lost just one of their last 11 international fixtures and, after naming a side filled to the brim with quality and experience, they will be expected to ease past Wales on Saturday.

Wales are yet to win a game in 2024 and two of their last three defeats have come via a margin greater than 20 points - a 31-7 humbling by Ireland (24 point margin) and a 45-24 loss to France (21).

The Springboks have been restricted to tight victories against stronger opposition but they have been known to run away with things against weaker sides - thumping Romania and Tonga 76-0 and 49-18 respectively in the 2023 World Cup - and could therefore win via a healthy margin this weekend.

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