STRIPPED-DOWN WALES FACING THEIR TOUGHEST TEST

THIS has been a tough first campaign as head coach of Wales for Steve Tandy but it is about to get even harder.

- By STEFFAN THOMAS

Wales take on the world champions without 13 of their best players because the game falls outside of World Rugby's designated international window.

‘Tandy’s starting XV can only boast 267 caps between them so experience isn’t on Wales’ side.

‘This is set to be a very unpleasant afternoon for a young Wales side on the weekend.

Despite making four changes to the backline there is actually a fair bit of cohesion.

The halfbacks - Kieran Hardy and Dan Edwards - both play for the Ospreys while the centre pairing of Joe Hawkins and Joe Roberts are from the Scarlets.

Two members of the back-three in Blair Murray and Ellis Mee also play for the Scarlets which means they will know each other's games inside out.

Cohesion will be crucial if Wales are to put in a competitive performance because any errors due to rustiness will be pounced upon by the Springboks.

South Africa will undoubtedly target Murray in the air, with the Scarlets star struggling in this aspect of play against Argentina and Japan.

Both Rio Dyer and Mee are fairly strong under the high ball but they will need to front up against the world champions.

Murray was much better against the All Blacks with his footwork, ability to break the line and also act as a playmaker coming to the fore.

Wales aren't going to compete if they get drawn into an arm wrestle so if the game does break up the likes of Murray, Dyer and Mee need to be alert to any opportunities.

In the midfield, Hawkins put in a fine performance last Saturday but if his partnership with Joe Roberts does not function then Wales are in trouble.