Share

Wales coach warns Springboks

Cardiff - Wales coach Warren Gatland has warned reigning champions South Africa that his side are determined to win the World Cup's toughest group.

Gatland is relishing the prospect of taking on the Springboks in the opening pool fixture on September 11, with tricky ties against Samoa and Fiji also looming for the Welsh in New Zealand.

It would be easy to ignore Gatland's optimistic stance given that Wales have only beaten the Springboks once from 25 attempts and previously suffered World Cup humiliation against Samoa and Fiji.

But after naming a World Cup squad that will be skippered by 22-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker Sam Warburton and contains just one uncapped player - Scarlets hooker Ken Owens - Gatland delivered an upbeat message with the intent of firing up his players.

"We want to win the group," he said. "I think we are in great shape physically. We shouldn't go there with any fears."

Gatland claim Wales showed in their recent 19-9 warm-up win over England that they are capable of imposing their game on top opposition and that will stand them in good stead when the pressure is on at the World Cup.

"I really put the players under pressure the week of the second England game this month to beat England at home and to perform," he said.

"In the past, sometimes they have shied away from that responsibility. You could see the heads go down, but they fronted up to what was a big challenge.

"And last weekend, we didn't play that well, but to beat Argentina comfortably was a sign there is something in this squad that is hopefully going to show something at the World Cup.

"It has been a really good August for us. The hardest thing about coaching an international side is limited preparation time, and the fact we have had these guys together for a couple of months has made a massive difference to us.

"I would like to think that people think we are not in bad shape going to this World Cup."

Warburton becomes Wales' youngest World Cup captain, filling a vacancy created by hooker Matthew Rees' neck injury.

Owens, meanwhile, received an 11th-hour call after Richard Hibbard suffered an ankle ligament problem during the Pumas clash in what was his comeback match following shoulder surgery earlier this summer.

There are few surprises in the 30-man squad, although 99 times-capped Blues flanker Martyn Williams misses out on playing in his fourth World Cup.

Whether Williams now decides to call time on a memorable 15-year Test career remains to be seen after Gatland opted for a split of 16 forwards and 14 backs, rather than 17-13.

"You can only pick 30 players," added Gatland. "If we had gone for a 17-13 split, we would have taken two sevens.

"I had a chat with Martyn in the week. He has been an unbelievable servant to Welsh rugby. He is selfless, a great servant.

"We've had a few injuries in the back three, and we wanted to make sure we had cover there. It needed bolstering up, so we went for 16-14."

The Springboks will announce their World Cup squad on Tuesday.

The Wales squad for the World Cup (September 9-October 23) announced on Monday:

Forwards (16):

Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Lloyd Burns (Newport Gwent Dragons), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Paul James (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Exeter), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Sam Warburton (captain, Cardiff Blues), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Danny Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks)

Backs (14):

Michael Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne), Aled Brew (Newport Gwent Dragons), Shane Williams (Ospreys), George North (Scarlets)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1170 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1364 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2074 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE