Not much hope for Wales

Thursday November 17 2005
Our readers don't hold out much hope for a Wales victory over South Africa at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday. While there was the odd balanced view, the majority predict a big Bok win.

Here's a selection of the readers' views!

Wales 45 Boks 10. What an embarrassment. I know as well as you, that when the boks last played Wales they lost and before that loss they beat Wales just shy of 100.......so the odds were stacked against Wales and the Boks favourite to triumph........hence my prediction. (Another bok skin to hang out to dry in the welsh marshlands)."
- John Granger

"I think we got the beating of the Welsh especially through our strong pack of forwards. If our forwards can dominate upfront that will mean good ball for the backs to work with and in this department I believe SA is superior. My only concern is our inexperience at fly-half and scrum-half. The scrum-half/fly-half combination is an extremely important aspect of the modern game and will be key on Saturday; driving forward play, running the right channels, dictating play, kicking, being able to slow down play, these are areas that the halves need to be efficient in delivering (We cannot forget NZ disaster with Gaffie Du doit and Dave van Hosslin)." 
- Vusi Gumede

"Yes if all their players were Kiwis!!"
- Alex D'Aloisio

"Nothing is a certainty in sport, but it has to be said that it is highly unlikely. South africa will have to have a nightmare of a game at the same time as wales play the game of their lives. I hope the boks really take it to the welsh so that the media in the northern hemisphere sit up and take notice of the boks and give them the credit they so much deserve. They speak as if the the all blacks are streets ahead of the rest of the world, whereas in reality there is not much between the two."
- Roger Brierley

"More likely to find a living Dragon, although saying that:  'yachid di bob Cymru'."
- Kyle Wingham

"Not a chance in hell! If we lose I will probably give up on SA rugby - wait a minute I think I've said that before.
We have a settled side & the Welsh are running around like Dragons with their heads cut off. We will be the DRAGON SLAYERS on Saturday by at least 30 points!"
- Brendon Liebenberg

"Im a true bok supporter, down to the last minute of every game!!!!! The game against the pumas was not a pretty 1, but so many people hear argentina and think oh, an easy match!

"The pumas are the most improved rugby nation over the past few years, and at home in their conditions, its harder than playing a pumped up english side at twickengnem!

"Yes the Welsh side 'can' beat the boks, lets face it they not the 6nations champs for nothing, although theyve performed poorly over the last few weeks it doesnt mean they cant find confidence again! But realistically, our boks are a far more confident side ... who would believe the poor performing welsh can beat the awsome unit of the boks! Besides the kiwis our boks are the most feared side in world rugby... I'l bet a million bucks that the all blacks crapped themselves wen facing the boks in the tri-nations earlier this year! You could separate who was the better side&.yes the blacks were the winners but lucky ones!

All hail the Boks .. the welsh have lost the game before they put foot onto the park .. shame!"
- Ricky

"Ha, ha, ha.  Id like to think that the 6 Nations Champions can stand up to the Tri-Nations 2nd best, but naaaahhh.  Not this year.  Not this decade.  That is my humble opinion.  I think that if they had to play the 6 Nations over the next 6 weeks, Wales would be lucky to finish 4th.  Why in the world would they stand a chance against the 2nd best team in the world.  I buy the motivation, and applaud the Welsh for trying to keep spectator interest, but the only ones celebrating at Cardiff this weekend will be those South African supporters who took the journey to the colder North. "
- Dries Badenhorst

"I think to answer this question we need to look no further than the 2005 Currie Cup final where, agaist all odds, the Free State defeated the mighty and unstoppable Blue Bulls. Or, on last year's end of year tour the Irish humbled the mighty Tri-nations champs. So even if we think we should steam-roller them, we need to force ourselves to mentally prepare for a test as if it is against the All Blacks. Only with that attitude can our boys produce their best and ensure that we do not underestimate the mighty Welsh. So in answer, of course Wales can beat SA!"
- Fred Herbst

"The Springboks will WIN easily! Their intelligence, mental strength, physical supriority, and Rugby skills will easily overcome the Welsh aggression. The Welsh can only rely on their aggression but that's it. They have otherwise limited capabilities. Maybe their talent lies in street and bar fighting and using foul language, but they definately lack in sporting ability. I predict another SAD day for Welsh. So they better fill up the bars with loads of alcohol and maybe their woman should not expect their men to come home without a bloody nose and blue eyes. The AB's really did upset these poor buggers."
- Andre du Toit

"If the BOKS get complacent they can. Wales are a professional rugby team so anything is possible. If White plays some new combos and players. they will do the shirt proud. The current first choice players are exhausted and burnt out. White needs to know when to give players a break. He can fill his entire bench with first team players and give all the others the chance of starting the game. Firstly a Julies/Fourie combo will be awesome. It seems only if a player gets injured do they then get the rest they need, ala Joubert!"
- Lee Williams

"I hope things go well. I think Jake has proved himself as a coach so i am behind him all the way go Bokke."
- Marco Kruger