Cape Town - Wales flank Dan Lydiate is wary of a Springbok backlash when the teams clash in Cardiff this weekend.
Wales scraped to a 33-30 win over Japan at the weekend but a struggling Springbok side fresh off a humiliating first ever loss to Italy.
Both teams will both be desperate for a win to appease their critics when they meet at the Principality Stadium in a repeat of last year's World Cup quarter-final which the Springboks edged 23-19 at Twickenham.
“We’re licking our wounds to be honest, we were too loose at times and we got punished,” said Lydiate, who scored his first try in 62 international Test against Japan, told The Guardian.
Wales beat South Africa 12-6 when the teams last clashed in Cardiff two years ago, and according to Lydiate the Boks will be physical as always.
“They’ll certainly be wanting to finish their autumn internationals on a high and there will certainly be a backlash coming. Hopefully we can up our game from this week; we need to step up.
“They are one of the most physical teams in world rugby and if you don’t stop them it’s going to be a tough day at the office and a high scoreline. It’s going to be a tough challenge. They’re not a poor team by any means.”
Wales coach Rob Howley echoed Lydiate’s sentiments.
"We have to look our game and look at South Africa's strengths and weaknesses but we know what to expect after playing them so many times in recent years," Howley told AFP.
"It was a great win for Italy but the weather conditions were not great in Florence and under the roof here in Cardiff, it will be a far different game next week."