Wales v South Africa - The Talking Points

Wales will be hoping to end this years' Autumn Series with a win against South Africa. Credit: PA

Wales complete their 2016 Autumn Test series tomorrow when they take on South Africa at the Principality Stadium.

As this years' series comes to an end, we look at some of the key talking points heading into the 32nd match up between the two nations.

HOW POOR ARE SOUTH AFRICA?

Based on current evidence, the answer would have to be very. Defeat against Wales would make it a record eight losses in a calendar year, with the Springboks' tale of woe including defeat to Italy last Saturday, a 37-point drubbing by England, a loss to Argentina and a record home reversal to world champions New Zealand.

South Africa's JP Pietersen during the Springbok's defeat to England. Credit: PA

Under-pressure head coach Allister Coetzee has reacted to the Italy result by making wholesale changes, but many pundits believe this is arguably the worst Springboks side in history. From Wales' perspective, are they there for the taking?

WALES NEED A WIN - AND A PERFORMANCE

Some say that Saturday's encounter is a "lose, lose" scenario for Wales boss Rob Howley. If Wales win, it will be claimed by critics that it was only against a dismal South Africa team, and if they lose, then the post-mortem could prove a detailed and lengthy one. Wales opened their autumn series with a crushing defeat against Australia, which they followed by posting narrow victories over Argentina and Japan, while a win this weekend would make it their most successful autumn campaign since 2002. Interim head coach Howley clearly needs a good result, but a more consistent, convincing performance would also not go amiss.

WALES' VASTLY-GREATER EXPERIENCE SHOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE

When it comes to caps and experience, tomorrow's game is a no-contest. Wales boast a total of more than 800 Test match appearances in their starting XV, with eight of the side having won 50 caps or more. In contrast, South Africa's line-up features just 260 caps, and only 40 of those have been collected by the Springboks' most inexperienced back division selected for a Test since 1994.

Bryan Habana will not be involved in tomorrow's fixture. Credit: PA

While Wales have gone for proven performers, South Africa boss Coetzee has omitted seasoned world-class campaigners like Bryan Habana and Willie le Roux. It is an advantage that Wales will need to press home, if they hope to get a result.

WALES V SOUTH AFRICA - MATCH FACTS

  • The countries have met on 31 occasions. South Africa lead the series 28-2, with one draw.

  • South Africa's record win against Wales was a 96-13 victory in Pretoria 18 years ago, while Wales boast a best of 29-19 in 1999.

  • The only drawn Test match between Wales and South Africa produced a 6-6 scoreline in Cardiff 46 years ago.

  • South Africa won 16 successive Test matches against Wales between 2000 and 2014.

  • Defeat for South Africa on Saturday would seem them suffer a record eighth loss against all opponents in one calendar year.

  • A Wales victory on Saturday would give them three wins in an autumn campaign for the first time since 2002.

  • South Africa's back division on Saturday contains a combined total of just 40 caps, the Springboks' lowest for a Test match since 1994.

  • Outside of the 2015 World Cup in England, South Africa have not won an away game since August last year.

  • South Africa skipper Adriaan Strauss, who has won 66 caps, will retire from international rugby after Saturday's game.

  • Ten of South Africa's starting line-up on Saturday will play against Wales for the first time.