Alun Wyn Jones v Lood de Jager
The last time these two faced each other in a Test match was last year, when South Africa squeezed to a narrow 23-19 quarter-final victory in the Rugby World Cup. Even in defeat Alun Wyn Jones gave a towering performance – only Dan Lydiate made more tackles than the Ospreys man at Twickenham. One of the most consistent second rows in world rugby, Jones will become Wales’ second-highest capped player of all time with 105 on Saturday, nudging ahead of fly-half Stephen Jones. By contrast, Lood de Jager is a relative newcomer to Test rugby. The 6ft 9ins lock made his Test debut against Wales during a 38-16 home win in 2014 and has since made 26 further appearances in a Springboks shirt, scoring four tries and cementing his place alongside Eben Etzebeth as the cornerstones of South Africa’s pack. Expect huge carries, crunching tackles and rugby of the highest calibre.
Tom Francis v Tendai Mtawarira
Nicknamed ‘The Beast’, it’s no exaggeration to say Tendai Mtawarira is an icon in South Africa. The 31-year-old is the most experienced forward in Allister Coetzee’s touring squad with 86 caps. A robust scrummager, powerful runner with ball in hand and fearsome tackler, Mtawarira is the definition of a modern-day prop. Like De Jager, Mtawarira made his Test debut against Wales – a 37-21 victory in Pretoria in 2008. Up against Mtawarira is Tom Francis, who came off the replacements’ bench in Wales’ Rugby World Cup defeat at Twickenham last year. However, the Exeter Chiefs prop didn’t pack down against Mtawarira, who was removed before Francis’s introduction. Francis qualified for Wales through his grandmother, who hailed from the same town where tighthead legend Adam Jones was born. Jones gave ‘The Beast’ an arduous afternoon during the second Lions Test in 2009, and Wales will be hoping for more of the same from Francis.Â
Gareth Davies v Faf de Klerk
Wales’ returning scrum-half has mixed memories of playing South Africa. Gareth Davies made his Test debut against them in 2014, when De Jager also won his first cap. And the Scarlets man scored the opening try of Wales’ 2015 World Cup quarter-final clash against the Springboks. Two games, two defeats. Up against him on Saturday is Faf de Klerk, the Golden Lions number nine, who made his international debut in June against Ireland. He’s been a regular presence in Allister Coetzee’s squad since, although his last two appearances have been as an impact player coming off the bench. De Klerk faces a stern challenge on Saturday against Davies, one of world rugby’s wiliest operators, a sniping nine as comfortable making breaks as he is orchestrating play.
