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Praise for Bok midfielders

Cape Town - Springbok defence coach John McFarland says the centre combination of Frans Steyn and JP Pietersen worked well against the World XV and he's confident they will also pass the test against Wales in Durban on Saturday (17:05 kick-off).

Pietersen, who normally plays wing, was added to the midfield to partner Steyn.

This was due to injuries to midfielders Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie and Damian de Allende.

"They did well, especially if you remember they played against Matt Giteau, Wynand Olivier and Rene Ranger. Then there were two potent wings in Drew Mitchell and Hosea Gear on their outside," McFarland told the Volksblad website.

This week they are likely to come up against the formidable Welsh duo of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies, but McFarland is confident the Sharks duo would be able to again hold their own.

He said they have studied video material of Wales during the Six Nations, and will also drew from the last time the teams met in Cardiff last November, when the Boks won 24-15.

Wales' overall record against South Africa is also woeful. The Boks hold a 25-1 winning record, with one match ending in a draw.

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