Wales’ leaky defence to be tested by South Africa power

Wales started the autumn by making 187 tackles against Argentina with a success rate of 86%, the Pumas making 14 line breaks.

A week later they went up to 216 tackles and 90% with Japan managing five line breaks.

The tackle count against New Zealand – which ended at 223 with a success rate of 85% – eventually told, with the All Blacks making nine line breaks.

Wales have suffered from the loss of captain Jac Morgan and opted against calling up open-side Tommy Reffell to provide another jackal threat, instead giving versatile Cardiff back-rower Alex Mann the chance to enjoy an encouraging run in the team.

On the back foot against power, they have been unable to stem the flow with only five breakdown steals over the course of the campaign.

Yet it is their discipline that will be in the spotlight against a South African machine that will be so hard to stop in the 22.

Wales have conceded 33 penalties in the November Tests so far, with indiscretions leading to a red card for Josh Adams and yellows for Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams, Taine Plumtree and Gareth Thomas.

“We have to be smarter because we spent 10 minutes in the 22 defending last weekend,” said Tandy.

“The bravery, toughness, quality and physicality they put in was outstanding, but we wanted to do that less because you can see what we can do when we’re at the other end of the field.”

South Africa have averaged 37 points and five tries per game from autumn successes against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

The world champions will be expected to make it a clean sweep on Saturday, the hope is that Tandy’s side can limit the damage.