Veteran lock
Alun Wyn Jones said Wales' upcoming clash with South Africa promises to be a
fast, frenetic encounter.
South
Africa have had a lot of changes to their squad in the last couple of years,
but they've still got a number of guys who have been playing in the Green and
Gold jersey for a while.
Warren
Gatland's side tackle the Springboks next Saturday, November 9, with further
clashes against Argentina, Tonga and Australia to come.
First
up is Heyneke Meyer's South Africa, a though side who ran New Zealand close
earlier this month.
"Having
looked at the Rugby Championship, the South Africa versus All Blacks game was
pretty special," said Jones.
"The
ball didn't go out of play much and the intensity and speed of the game was
massive.
"We're
fortunate enough to start with South Africa.
"Yes
they've had a lot of [personnel] changes, but they've still got a number of
guys who have been playing in the Green and Gold jersey for a while.
"It's
going to be a tough, tough game with what we've seen and the players they've
got."
After
captaining the British & Irish Lions in the deciding clash with Australia
in July, Jones will be a key figure for Wales throughout the year-end Tests.
The
Wales man could line up against a fearsome second row pairing of Bakkies Botha
and Eben Etzebeth, when South Africa visit the Millennium Stadium.
At 34
and with 76 caps, Toulon lock Botha provides plenty of experience, with
Etzebeth a hugely promising prospect alongside him.
"Etzebeth
has been on the radar for a while," Jones said.
"They've
had him lined up to fill the boots of Matfield and Botha, but they've got a lot
of guys with experience," the Ospreys skipper added.
"The
likes of Jean de Villiers, they have achieved a lot and they'll bring on guys
like Etzebeth and other newcomers to the jersey."
He
added: "I've been asked if we can transform what some of the boys did in
the summer into the autumn and there's a lot of experience from that tour.
"We
have to move on from the success we had but also bring that into this kind of
environment. It's a different jersey and a different cause but you want to
continue in a successful manner first as an individual and then in whatever
team you're in.
"There's
no easy formula for success. It's a case of not trying to emulate the past but
build on it and look to the future."
Captain18,570 posts
01 Nov 2013, 11:18
#1
01 Nov 2013, 11:18#1


