The former Wales and Lions hooker says because it is the first game for both teams they can attempt to try something new.
He said:”Both sides will have worked to try and surprise each other as being first game in is a good thing. The Rugby World Cup only happens every four years which makes it special and the aim is to start well in the group.”
He praised the Springboks for the physical presence they will bring to the encounter and warned that Wales will have to face up to the intensity they will bring to the game.
“They’re defending their World title so it’s going to be rough,” added McBryde. “The Rugby World Cup is different to one-off fixtures in the autumn.
“We are aware they played their last game at quite an intensity. They’re a big team, very physical and reigning world champions.
McBryde said the preparations by the Wales squad had maintained a high momentum with competition amongst the players running high.
He said: ”We’ve been very happy with the competition for places to date and it was tough cutting the squad down to 30. Competition in the back row is particularly intense and the training out here in New Zealand has been as tough as ever.”
He said new internationals like Lloyd Burns had been settling into the international system and improving their rugby.
“Lloyd Burns is settling in very well and he has been helped because there are so many Dragons in this quad. He has found his feet and he’s really taken to international rugby,” explained McBryde. “They all keep pushing each other very hard.”
Today the Wales plays cooled off from training with a dip in the sea off their Wellington camp headquarters. The bitterly cold water was intended to help their muscle repair before they set off for yet another rugby session.
McBryde also turned his attention to the South African line up and the possibility of Bakus Botha not being fit for selection on Sunday.
He said: ”Botha will be a big loss to them if he is not fit. He is part of a very solid front five unit and he works very well with Matfield who’s also a great second row.”
