By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
What is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Wales? Daffodils, Dylan Thomas, Dame Shirley Bassey?
All of these are well associated with the country; however, most people will say rugby is what they equate with the Welsh public.
Of course, Cardiff and the Principality Stadium garner most of the headlines in Welsh rugby, and rightly so.
You can’t beat a match day in the capital; as a fan, you can feel the excitement and anticipation everywhere, from St. Mary Street to Cathays.
Pubs and restaurants are packed with revved-up fans getting their fuel before seeing those famous red jerseys take to the pitch.
Taking your seat as part of the 70,000-plus crowd, ready to rally behind the nation, is a special feeling.
You watch flames rise like a dragon breathing fire as the decibel levels soar when Wales emerge from the smoke-filled tunnel.
That is followed by “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau,” sung in full force, with passion pumping through the veins of the crowd and players alike.
Welsh life often revolves around the national game, and the foundation for the love of rugby stems from the success Wales have relished over the decades.
Even though results have been hard for the Welshmen, there is always a buzz around the great city.
This week, the excitement reaches a fever pitch as Warren Gatland’s side face a formidable challenge in the form of the Springboks.
It will be a match to remember, with a few exciting betting options that could unfold.
Wales
After last week’s defeat to Australia, it is safe to say that Wales have hit rock bottom.
Warren Gatland’s side suffered their 11th defeat on the bounce, marking Wales’ worst run statistically.
There was real disappointment around the Principality Stadium on Sunday, where you could hear a pin drop as Wales suffered a heavy 52-20 defeat at the hands of Joe Schmidt’s Australia.
Wales got off to a disastrous start as Australia looked formidable in attack. However, a resurgence late in the first half sparked hope throughout their iconic rugby ground.
That hope was short-lived, as the Wallabies quickly reasserted their dominance against a struggling Welsh team.
Even though it was a poor performance all round for Wales, a few players impressed. One of those was Tom Rogers, who put on a phenomenal display in the air and looked the real deal on the international stage.
Over many years, Wales have had some issues at the blindside flanker position, yet James Botham put on a promising display with the number six on his back.
Of course, you must mention consistent performers like Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan, who consistently play well in the famous red jersey.
Going into the game against the Springboks, Gatland has made some big calls. For example, Sam Costelow has been given the nod at fly-half over Gareth Anscombe.
Taine Plumtree will return to the lineup, replacing Aaron Wainwright, and Christ Tshiunza will replace an injured Adam Beard in the second row.
It looks like Wales could be in for a tough day, but they are giving their all as they look to end their autumn on a high.
South Africa
South Africa is the most formidable force in world rugby today, looking almost impossible to stop. They are coming off a victory against England, leaving Twickenham with a 29-20 scoreline in their back pocket.
The Springboks arrive in Cardiff with four wins and one loss in their last five encounters, where they averaged 28 points per game.
Everybody knows by now that talent is abundant in the Springboks’ squad. Every player within their ranks is world-class and capable of changing a game in a heartbeat.
South Africa has truly mastered the delicate balance of game management. As a side, they are phenomenal all over the park, whether that’s in the forward pack or the backline.
The physicality and ability to win big exchanges separate Rassie Erasmus’ side from other great teams.
Siya Kolisi will lead his country yet again as they look to make it three wins on the bounce in Europe.
Brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse are lined up as the half-back pairing for South Africa. Regarding the front row, Ox Nché will be rested on Saturday, with Wilco Louw coming in at tighthead.
On paper, South Africa could put on a dominating display in Cardiff, and with the talent they have in their squad, it is hard to see it happening any other way.
The Bets
As we look ahead to the Wales vs South Africa match, some fascinating betting options exist. The best bet is that South Africa will win by more than 24.5 points.
Looking at the squad and current form, it is hard to see anything but a dominant Springboks win. Another intriguing option is Blair Murray to make the most Welsh metres.
Murray has looked very impressive over the last couple of games, and starting from full-back this week could only make him more threatening coming off the counter-attack.
For those who love a long shot, Botham to make the most Welsh tackles is a plausible option, as the Cardiff player has a phenomenal work rate and is a rock in defence.
These are just some exciting betting options that could unfold in this highly anticipated match.
• Best Bet: South Africa to win by more than 24.5 points – 7/10
• Value Bet: Blair Murray to make the most Welsh metres – 9/4
• Longshot Bet: James Botham to make the most Welsh tackles – 4/1
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