Wales started their autumn campaign with a disappointing loss to New Zealand last weekend, and things aren’t about to get any easier with the world champions coming to town. But Pivac is confident Wales can improve drastically from their test against the All Blacks and give a good account of themselves against the Springboks.
“We want to build on last week and try to be positive where we can,” he said. “But we’ve got to be sensible as well. We know the threat South Africa bring.
“They’ve obviously world class. They won the World Cup and they won their last match against New Zealand.
“They’ve got a magnificent set piece so discipline will be the key. Try not to give them too many set-pieces, because they’re very strong in that area of the game.
“Aerial threat as well. We’re going to have to be on top of our game. When we do have position, if it’s on, we’ll look to try and create.
“We’ve had a good look at areas where we can make some gains in terms of our attack. We’ll have to be on our game. Everyone will have to look after the ball in contact.
“There are going to be some big contacts but we’ll be looking to find space whether that’s off the foot or through the hand.”
Wales haven’t lost to South Africa in Cardiff since 2013 and Pivac has made six changes to his starting XV. Gloucester speedster Louis Rees-Zammit returns to take his place on his wing, while Saracens centre Nick Tompkins takes the place of Johnny Williams.
The 95-times capped Dan Biggar, who was on Northampton Saints duty last week, regains the number 10 shirt from Gareth Anscombe. Cardiff flanker Ellis Jenkins will make his first Wales appearance in three years after only recently returning to the field of player following a horrific knee injury sustained against South Africa in 2018.
But perhaps the biggest selection shock is loosehead prop Rhys Carre taking the place of scrummaging expert Wyn Jones, while Will Rowlands starts at second-row and Liam Williams recovering from appendicitis to take his place on the bench along with uncapped front-row duo Bradley Phillips and WillGriff John.
“We’re a little bit stronger in terms of the bench,” said Pivac. “We’ve got more players available. Fitness was a big issue. It’s the early part of the season for us. We haven’t played Test matches for a while.
“The Lions boys have had a break so some have played one or two games of rugby. We’re up against sides that are Test match hardened.
“That’s always an issue. Certainly, we’d like to improve on our performance from last week, no doubt about that.”
Saturday will also be a poignant moment for Cardiff flanker Jenkins, who is making his first Wales appearance since suffering a serious knee injury three years ago. And Pivac is excited to see Jenkins in action against a formidable Springboks back-row.
“What a story, very similar to Gareth (Anscombe),” said Pivac. “It’s not how we wanted to play it originally. It’s not really going to the script we had planned, he’s more of a seven.
“But with the injuries we have at six, Ellis has gone across. It allows us to play two sevens which we’ll probably have some benefits from with the breakdown work.
“We’re just pleased he’s back in. He was desperately unlucky not to get close to the finish line in terms of selection last week with that rib injury he had.”
