Last week’s Test in Bloemfontein reminded all of us just how much depth of talent there is in this South Africa.

New controversial coach Peter de Villiers appeared to be taking an unnecessary gamble by moving so far from the World Cup-winning team which secured the ultimate rugby prize, when it came to team selection, but in retrospect he got it spot on.

While it was obvious the experienced players led the way, with John Smit being the biggest factor in the commanding opening performance of 2008, it was a breath of fresh air to see so many other untested players looking comfortable in the green and gold. If these players are not tried now, when are they going to be tried? This is the best time for De Villiers to send out the message that the Boks are not an exclusive club when it comes to selection

Of course, it will be a different ball game in the Vodacom Tri-Nations, and there is a mirage effect surrounding what we are watching at the moment, for the reversion to the old laws does turn these Test matches into a different game to what we will see in the Tri-Nations. 

Last week showed us that the southern hemisphere experience of the experimental laws has further widened the gap between North and South. It was no coincidence that the Bok superiority started at the breakdowns, where they were just so much more physical than the best of Europe.

The quicker game evidenced under the ELVs has placed a higher priority on the breakdown, and on teams having to turn over opposition ball at the recycles. The Bok tactic of kicking high balls with the aim of winning back possession would have been new on Wales.

In my opinon the Boks were not quite as new age as as some made them out to be last week. But on those occasions where the Boks did appear a yard or so quicker than Wales last week, it may have been as much down to the ELVs as it was to any intent on their part. Think about it - the Southern Hemisphere teams have been playing a sport over the past four months where the quick tap and go has become almost as frequent as the lineout

This must have effected a change in mindset among the players, even if it was not a conscious shift, and they would automatically be better tuned in than Northern Hemisphere players to the need to keep everything fluid and fast paced.

De Villiers knows the Boks won’t have this advantage against New Zealand and Australia. So they will also know how important confidence will be going into the Test matches in Australasia next month, and for this reason they will be looking for another resounding victory today.

The Boks shook off thier previous demons of yesterday year by being surprisingly fluid last week considering it was a first game of the season. They have played together now, they have won together now, and they also have the experience of Victor Matfield added to the mix.

These factors should make them an even better team in Pretoria than they were in Bloemfontein. Any lift in a Welsh performance will probably be matched by a similar one from the hosts. De Viliers has also included star preformers, Kankawski and Steyn, who, as everybody knows, will have a siezable impact from the bench in the second half.

The Welsh may start with more fire, but the Boks should have the confidence to absorb the early fire and win comfortably again.

My prediction is South Africa to win by 26 points