Wales v South Africa
Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 12:20 pm
INTERNATIONAL TEST - WALES v SOUTH AFRICA Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Saturday, 5 June Kick-off: 1430 BST
we've been left dog sitting his little gobshitey terrier 
he's just rung me (son not terrier) to tell me Cardiff is a sea of red shirts and that Warran Gatland just waved at him
CYMRU AM BYTH!!
My jammy son is already there after he blagged free tickets from one of the suppliers he deals withWales are in confident mood of just their second win over South Africa when they meet in Cardiff on Saturday.
The men in red have only beaten the mighty Springboks once in 104 years and 23 Tests, 29-19 in the Millennium Stadium's opening game in June 1999. But confidence has been bouncing out of the Wales camp, while Welsh pundits have been united in expecting a home win over the weakened world champions. The attitude has riled South Africa coach Peter de Villiers.
"[Wales] need to know that when you pick fruit it isn't just apples and pears - there are prickly pears as well," said de Villiers. "We want to be a prickly pear for them. "I told these players they must remember that I haven't announced the team to face France next week, and for a good reason - I haven't seen them play as a unit yet.
"If this team stands up for itself and proves to us how good it is, then there is pressure on the other team at home for their positions.
"It is extremely important to start well, otherwise we place a lot more pressure on ourselves ahead of the World Cup next year. "We are in a pool with Wales, and if we don't do well on Saturday we give them a lot of confidence ahead of next year. This is our chance to do it and we should send them packing with their tails between their legs. We become just another team for them. We will give them a psychological advantage, and we cannot permit that."
Wales, who also face two Tests in New Zealand on 19 and 26 June, have been boosted by the recent success of the Blues and Ospreys, who make up the majority of coach Warren Gatland's squad.
"Confidence is paramount, the Blues boys are bouncing about the place," said centre Jamie Roberts, part of the Blues team that won the Amlin Challenge Cup last month the week before the Ospreys claimed the Magners League title.
"It's an awesome opportunity for us to beat South Africa, if you look back over the last couple of years this is probably our best chance and hopefully we'll take it."
Ospreys and Wales flanker Jonathan Thomas added: "[South Africa] are renowned for their strength in depth and their Super 14 teams have done well this year, but this is definitely a big opportunity for us. There is no psychological fear for us. Most of the players in our squad are experienced now and know what to expect from a game with South Africa. We have British and Irish Lions in our squad, players who featured in a Test victory over the Springboks only a year ago, so there isn't a mental issue to overcome. That isn't to say we do not respect them."
The Springboks have three Test rookies in an unfamiliar line-up further weakened by a player release row.
The squad have had just one week in camp since the Super 14 final last weekend that featured the Bulls and Stormers.
But Wales have also been hit by injuries and their inability to call on players based in England.
They have inexperienced teenager Tom Prydie on one wing and uncapped Scarlets flanker Rob McCusker on the bench.
Despite that, former Wales captains Robert Jones and Phil Bennett say they fully expect a home win in front of a crowd estimated to top 60,000.
we've been left dog sitting his little gobshitey terrier he's just rung me (son not terrier) to tell me Cardiff is a sea of red shirts and that Warran Gatland just waved at him CYMRU AM BYTH!!