Shaun Edwards
Welsh defensive coach Shaun Edwards has bad memories of what Willie le Roux did to them in June and is wary of the Springboks’ threats.
South Africa managed two victories over the Welsh back in June, with a tight one-point win in Nelspruit proving to be a heartbreaking one for Wales.
Springbok fullback Willie le Roux was instrumental as an attacking threat in both those games and was seen to terrorize the Welsh defence.
For Edwards, a watchful eye will be kept on Le Roux, but he is not fooling himself into believing that the wylie fullback will be the only threat.
“They have got intelligent players, they’ve got a constructive kicking game as well,” the coach said.
They’ve got an outstanding fullback in Willie le Roux, who was the main torturer for us throughout the June Tests.
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“He is certainly a guy we need to keep our eye on.
“The Springboks have got threats all over the field.
“They have an incredibly powerful pack, their defence is as good, if not the best in the world at the moment.
Speaking of his own defence, Edwards was clearly pained to not have hooker Richard Hibbard at his disposal with the Gloucester man out of the Test.
Either Ospreys man Scott Baldwin or Scarlets rival Emyr Phillips look set to get the nod – both of them very inexperienced.
“Neither minds tackling,” said coach Edwards.
“But there’s no doubt that Richard was at the forefront of the defensive performance against New Zealand in the pure aggression stakes.
“I asked him to be as destructive as he possibly could and he certainly did that.
“They’ve got pretty big shoes to fill but they are both ambitious young men who don’t mind the physical side of the game.”
Edwards was not ready to look at the Ireland match, which the Springboks lost convincingly, as inspiration to defeat the Southern Hemisphere giants.
“I think it’s important to remember conditions in Ireland were very different,” he continued.
Rain is more prevalent up here and Southern Hemisphere teams don’t like those conditions.
“But it’s not the case at the Millennium Stadium with the roof. It will be good conditions for running rugby.”
Speaking of the Millennium Stadium, the coach admitted he was looking forward to a good tussle.
“We are always desperate to win games of rugby at the Millennium Stadium.
“We’ve had some great battles with South Africa over the years and I hope it’s a compelling game but we want to be on the right side of the result.”
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Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards on Tuesday reacted angrily at a reporter who asked whether head coach Warren Gatland’s position is under threat.
Following last weekend’s 34-16 loss to the All Blacks, reports in Welsh media have stated that Gatland is under pressure to beat the Springboks this weekend.
Wales have failed to beat any of the southern hemisphere’s big three in the last 22 attempts and have only won one in 27 games since Warren Gatland took over as coach in January 2008. Their only victory came six years ago against Australia.
During Tuesday’s press conference in Cardiff, a reporter asked Edwards if he thought Gatland’s job could be in jeopardy, before Edwards responded in angry fashion.
Edwards said: “What do you mean ‘under pressure’?”
“Being a Test match rugby coach, every game has got pressure. Being any sort of coach, every game has got pressure. I don’t understand what you mean. Do you mean do you think he is going to get sacked?
“If you coach Wigan Under-11s, you get pressure. You are a coach. Of course he is under pressure, everyone is under pressure. Every single game is a pressure game.
“If you are coaching a Sunday League team you are under pressure to win a game. I don’t understand what you are trying to get at.
“What about if you win three Six Nations? Yes, it is a good answer. Next question.”
The Springboks and Wales have faced each other on 29 occasions, with the Boks winning 27 of those. Wales’ only victory came in Cardiff in 1999, while there was also a draw in 1970.
Kick-off for Saturday’s clash at the Millennium Stadium is scheduled for 16:30 (SA Time).