Wales on the hunt for Bok scalp: 'One shot, one kill'
Wales utility back Josh Adams is relishing the opportunity to have another crack at the Springboks in a ‘Cape Town decider’.
Just under a year ago, on August 7, Adams was a member of the British and Irish Lions team that had their hearts broken by a Morné Steyn penalty in the 78th minute in the Cape Town Stadium.
It sealed a two-one series win for the Springboks.
The same venue, albeit this time packed with spectators, will see Wales aim to clinch a first-ever series win on South African soil.
Adams is excited about facing the Boks again, after scoring the match-winner in Bloemfontein last week – to set up a 13-12 win, following a 29-32 loss in the first Test in Pretoria.
“Hopefully it goes a little bit better than last year,” Adams said about Saturday’s series decider – when asked about his return to Cape Town.
“South Africa is a great team.
“They’ve shown that over the two Tests and it’s been close in both games,” he said of the Loftus Versfeld and Bloemfontein encounters.
“I’ve no doubt it will be exactly the same this weekend.
“It’s important to focus our minds on becoming the first [Wales] team to come out here [South Africa] and win a Test series.
“That’s our sole goal as a squad. It is important that we focus on that.”
Having spectators pack the stadium, nestled in the foothills of the famous Table Mountain, is a theatric setting that excited the Welsh flyer.
The B&I Lions decider was played in an empty stadium because of COVID-19 restrictions.
“It’s brilliant, absolutely brilliant!” he said of the expected capacity crowd.
“Having seen games played in South Africa over numerous years, whichever touring team comes out here, the stadiums are always rocking,” Adams added.
“They make a great atmosphere and Loftus [Versfeld, week one] and Bloemfontein last week have been incredible.
“Hopefully we’ll have another big crowd in Cape Town and it can be a great day.”
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Adams admitted it is likely to be another close tussle, with just one game in the last five years being decided by a margin of more than five points – Wales winning 20–11 in Cardiff in November 2018.
He spoke of the Welsh team’s “resolve to stay in the fight” and finish off the opportunities that came their way in both the first and second Tests – a 29-32 loss if Pretoria and a 13-12 win in Bloemfontein a week later.
“You have to be clinical against South Africa, especially when you get into their 22,” he said about the many arm-wrestles over the years.
“You have to come away with as many points as you can.
“We were clinical. One shot, one kill, if you like.”
The 27-year-old, who is equally at home as a fullback or wing, admitted they were “disappointed” with some of their execution in the first two Tests.
“Looking back over the two Tests there have been opportunities that we haven’t taken and that’s been frustrating for us, especially as backs.
“This week will just be about being as clinical as we can be and just taking the chances.”
Adams, who was also part of the Welsh team that lost the 2019 World Cup semifinal (16-19) in Yokohama to the Boks, believes they can go even further this week.
However, he dismissed any talk of ‘revenge’ or ‘settling scores’.
“I don’t see it that way personally,” Adams said
“This is a totally different series of events, so I don’t think so.
“It’s a different squad to that time. Different players as well. The most important thing for us is the here and now, and this Saturday.”
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