24 October 2019, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld
Springboks v Wales – Key Battles
Titans from opposite ends of the earth will collide in ground-shaking positional battles when Wales and the Springboks square off in a blockbuster Rugby World Cup semi-final in Yokohama on Sunday, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
Up front and out back, mouth-watering match-ups await. Functioning as a unit will be of the utmost importance, but key individuals will play pivotal roles in gaining the upper hand for their teams tactically, in the set-pieces, at the breakdown and in open play.
We highlight the key head-to-head battles that’ll have a major bearing on this epic semi-final showdown.
De Jager winning this battle will equate cutting the head off the dragon. Jones is that talismanic of a figure for this Wales side. One of the all-time greats – and arguably the best-ever Welsh player – Jones is one of the most iconic international captains of the past decade and the responsibility of leading his country into battle has brought the absolute best out of the behemoth.
Bok lock Lood de Jager says that the World Cup semi-final against Wales will be won and lost at the set pieces. pic.twitter.com/WABFOaUcKK
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) October 24, 2019