South Africa v Wales head-to-head ratings: How the teams match up for huge decider as Pivac's men ahead in one key area

A Welsh writer once admitted to shedding a tear when hearing over the radio that Wales had beaten South Africa for the first time.

He even stated where he was and what he was doing at the very point the news came over. Driving across the M4, not far from Port Talbot, since you ask, in 1999. The chap in question had been brought up believing that South Africa were a team Wales couldn’t beat.

Welsh sides had defeated the All Blacks three times, after all, in the early years of matches between the nations, but not the Springboks. They were a team Wales rarely played and when they did the verdict always went the way of the opposition. A generation or three of schoolboys grew up thinking it was some kind of iron sporting rule.

Imagine how the scribe would feel if Wales managed to complete a series win in South Africa this weekend.

South Africa v Wales decider: Exact scoreline predicted by writers as history beckons

What are their chances? On paper, it could be tough. But the cliche tells us games are not won on paper, and the cliche is right.

Still, we assess how the teams mark up.

South Africa looked more dangerous when using Willemse at fly-half rather than full-back in the first game of this series, but, make no mistake, the Stormers man is a handful wherever he plays. Kolbe doesn’t need any introductions as an attacking force, either, while Mapimpi can finish with the best of them.

Not giving them much ball wouldn't be a bad idea for an opposition team. If any of the trio do get possession, then Wales will want to close down their space or simply do what they can to rattle them.

Easier said than done, though.

There have been glimpses of Wales’ wings with ball in hand, but not many such sightings amid a conservative