Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Pieter-Steph du Toit have cautioned against complacency ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Wales at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban, with kick-off at 17h40.
Both men dismissed the Boks' recent record against Wales as irrelevant, with Stick drawing on his experience of South African rugby's own difficult transition period to contextualise where Wales currently stand. "One or two good results might change everything for them," he said, pointing to 2018 as the year the Springboks themselves began to turn the corner after a period of inconsistency.
Stick also acknowledged the Boks were below par in certain areas last weekend, identifying the kicking game and defensive structure as the primary focus areas during the week's preparation. "I don't think we were at our best when it came to our kicking game and defence last week. Wales will probably look at that game and think that if they keep the ball in hand, they'll pose challenges for us."
Du Toit echoed those concerns, flagging Wales' breakdown presence — specifically citing Jac Morgan — and their physicality in both attack and defence as areas requiring sharp set-piece execution from the Springboks.
The match will see four players earn their first Test caps: props Carlu Sadie, lock Ruben van Heerden, flyhalf Vusi Moyo and winger Jaco Williams. Stick noted the debutants are surrounded by experienced World Cup winners and emphasised that the selection reflected the team's genuine intent rather than a rotational exercise. "If you look at the team we've selected, it tells you how we're approaching this game," he said.