Unrivalled performance has always been a Springbok instinct. The African antelope awakes each morning instinctively aware that an assortment of predators depend on its carcass as nourishment for their own survival. As the IRB' reigning rugby union No.1s and Rugby World Cup holders, the Springbok rugby squad are equally aware they have the proverbial 'hounds' at their heels.

Wales, due to arrive in South Africa shortly, top the list of these rugby union hyenas. However hungry, and however desperate these 'predators' may be for some Springbok hide, they'll find the Boks as reluctant as their safari namesakes and game.

The Six Nations champions from the colder climes of the Northern Hemisphere may be unhappy with the shadow cast over them by the reigning world champions, but if the truth be told, they'll soon be thankful for the shade.

'The Welsh may be Six Nations champions, but will they have it in them to rise to the challenge of these conditions in South Africa? History suggests not!'


The sight and irony of the Red Dragons burnt by the African sun has always brought a smile to my face and acclimatising to South African conditions has traditionally been the Achilles heel of any northern contender. Add to this the variety of playing conditions in the country and you're set for something like 'The Silence of the Lambs' which I call 'The Whipping of the Welsh'.

Playing rugby union in South Africa can be like the difference between playing ATP tennis at Wimbledon, Roland Garros, Flushing Meadows and on top of Everest. The clay, grass and hard-court surfaces and altitude extremes are a good analogy for conditions in South Africa.

The Welsh may be Six Nations champions, but will they have it in them to rise to the challenge of these conditions in South Africa? History suggests not!

Unrivalled outstanding performance has always been a Springbok instinct when challengers are on safari in Africa - and Wales will have a virtual Kilimanjaro ahead of them as their hunting ground for the Boks.

Altitude determines your attitude and beyond the 5,700 feet elevation differential between Johannesburg's Ellis Park and Cape Town's Newlands Stadium the Welsh will have learned, by this time next month, to be humbly grateful for the shadow the world champions cast over them in some blistering displays of instinctive Springbok rugby in early-winter Saturdays in the 25-degrees Celsius range.

Cast a cold eye on the Red Dragons, with a wry smile. Springbok fans walk by knowing once again that in Africa the HUNTER very rapidly becomes the HUNTED.

It is almost poetic that on the other end of the globe, 'the battle for scraps' will almost simultaneously take place between England (Six Nations also-rans) and New Zealand's All Blacks, who have a similar position on the IRB leaderboard. Springbok fans would call the Iveco Series 'the baby shoes twos', where those second-class rugby union teams can square up and regroup off-stage and out of harm's way at the edge of the planet.

On centre stage, the world champions take on the Six Nations champions - and the stakes are higher than merely a traditional derby.

Wales, as Europe's topdogs, will have you believe Northern Hemisphere rugby union has risen from the ash and ruin of recent years by proving the Six Nations champions are de facto 'champions' and that European rugby, represented by Wales, is stronger than that of the Southern Hemisphere, represented by the current world champions. Call it an attempt at hemispherical equilibrium.

The Springboks will guard their home reputation and have none of it. It's interlopers versus Africa's finest all over again and the Springboks are a couple steps up in terms of this evolution.

Africa is traditionally thought of as the 'dark continent'. This is a mythical property which has been under the protection of the Boks, who have steadfastly defended the image of stamina, strength and endurance which underline daily African existence.

For South Africans, this is the most alluring characteristic of the Springbok squad. Their status as 'Protectors of the faith', carrying on their sleeves the hardships of the pioneers who have tamed and moulded arguably the toughest continent on the planet.

This is what the Welsh will contend with and not merely that fact that the Boks are bigger than them, not only on the field, but off it in terms of everything from world status to the jeans they wear at the swimming pool.

Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha will tower over the Red Dragons like the gates to hell and fanatical Springbok supporters predict that's exactly the route the Welsh will be led down pretty smartly.