Wales’ leaky defense will be tested by the South African powerhouse

Wales started the autumn making 187 tackles against Argentina with a success rate of 86%, and the Pumas made 14 line breaks.

A week later, the number of tackles reached 216 times, at 90%, with Japan making five line breaks.

The number of tackles against New Zealand – which finished at 223 with an 85% success rate – eventually counted, as the All Blacks made nine line breaks.

Wales suffered the loss of captain Jack Morgan and chose not to call up Tommy Revell from the openside to provide another Jackal threat, instead giving versatile back-rower Alex Mann the chance to enjoy an encouraging career in the side.

Falling from power, they were unable to stem the flow with just five thefts over the course of the campaign.

However, it is their discipline that will be in the spotlight against a South African machine that will be very difficult to stop in the round of 22.

Wales have conceded 33 penalties in the November Tests so far, with careless fouls resulting in a red card for Josh Adams and yellow cards for Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams, Tyne Plumtree and Gareth Thomas.

“We have to be smarter because we spent 10 minutes in the 22 minutes defending last weekend,” Tandy said.

“The courage, toughness, quality and physicality they provided was fantastic, but we wanted to do it less because you can see what we can do when we are at the other end of the pitch.”

The South Africans averaged 37 points and five tries per game from their autumn successes against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

The world champions are expected to make a clean sweep on Saturday, and the hope is that Tandy’s side can limit the damage.