Wales expecting 'hostile' Loftus reception
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales will be confronted by 52,000 hostile South African supporters when they take to the field against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Saturday’s first Test of the series between South Africa and Wales has been sold out.
It means the clash will surpass the largest crowd figure recorded in South Africa for a Test between the Boks and Welsh Dragons.
Aside from overcoming the red-hot atmosphere of a sold-out Pretoria-based stadium, Wales also faces the mammoth task of ending their dismal record at Loftus Versfeld.
Wales has yet to win in Pretoria, losing all three prior clashes (1998, 2004 and 2008) to Springboks.
The 1998 game is a particularly sore point for the tourists, having lost 13-96 to a rampant Bok team.
Speaking to reporters, Wales hooker Ryan Elias admitted it going to be a big challenge.
But one he is looking forward to.
“We just came from the Six Nations and Nations Cup where we had a lot of home games and it was great to have the support in Cardiff,” Ellias said.
“But now we are in the Springboks’ backyard and I can imagine it is going to be pretty hostile.
“It is a sell-out crowd and it’s going to be a challenge.”
#NEWS: Loftus Versfeld will claim the record of having hosted the biggest crowd for a Test match between the Springboks and Wales in South Africa. #Springboks #Wales #SouthAfrica #RSAvWAL https://t.co/Vx7ZTmQxB1
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Not too much respect for Boks
The 23 times Test-capped Elias, who will go head to head with Mbongeni Mbonambi, has pinpointed the Springbok scrum as one of their most lethal attacking weapons.
However, the forward said that even though he respects South Africa’s pack, his team will not back down from the battle.
“[Wales coach] Wayne Pivac alluded that they have one of the greatest packs in the World,” Elias said.
“They are big men, tactically very good at the scrum as well as line-outs.
“They are very physical and our forwards have to match it.
“We have been doing a lot of hard work in the gym and running down on the pitch. Physicality we are in a good place.
“Hopefully, come game day, we will be up for it.
“Think we are pretty confident with our scrums.”
He added: “We respect South Africa’s scrums, however, we can’t give them too much respect.
“We want to be competitive and want to take it to them. It is a fine line.”
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