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Live text – Wales v South Africa
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1 min:Wales 0-0 South Africa
We’re off, with Habana running the ball back for the Boks after Priestland gets the game under way. A Hook knock-on from a high kick gives South Africa an early scrummage inside Wales territory.
0930: The anthems have been beautifully rendered, and kick-off awaits…
Mikey Williams on text via 81111: “I’m looking forward to seeing Rhys Priestland having to deal with Fourie on the crash ball… “
0926: Nine of South Africa’s side played when they beat England to win the 2007 World Cup final. Their XV has a combined total of 815 caps – five more than their previous record.
0921: South Africa have star winger Habana in their side after injury. He has scored 38 tries in 70 Tests, but can guess when he last crossed the whitewash for the Boks? Amazingly it was way back in June 2010, against Italy, 11 games ago.
0914: This isn’t all about me, so get in touch and share r views on the game. can either text on 81111, or tweet, using the hashtag #BBCRWC.
0910: Head to head: Wales have beaten the Boks just once in their 25 meetings with one draw. The solitary victory came in 1999, and since then they have lost 12 on the spin. They probably shouldn’t have though, as the last three games have seen winning margins of four, three and five points, so a bakers’ dozen of consecutive defeats is by no means inevitable.
South Africa: F Steyn; Pietersen, Fourie, De Villiers, Habana; M Steyn, Du Preez; Mtawarira, Smit, J du Plessis, Rossouw, Matfield, Brussow, Burger, Spies. Replacements: B du Plessis, Steenkamp, Van der Linde, Muller, Alberts, Hougaard, James.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
0855: Team news: Wales have opted for Rhys Priestland at fly-half, with Stephen Jones injured. The talented and versatile James Hook starts at full-back, while George North gets the nod on the right wing. Luke Charteris partners Alun Wyn Jones in the second row and Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau join captain Sam Warburton in the back row. South Africa are without injured lock Bakkies Botha, so Dannie Rossouw fills in, while captain John Smit starts at hooker.
0850: We all know pre-match fuelling is important in the professional era, so I hope ’re fully loaded with tea and laverbread. (My colleague Bryn assures me that it’s more likely to be bacon butties, cereal or toast, but let’s not spoil the stereotype eh). Kick-off in 40 minutes, are we getting nervous yet?
0845 BST: Morning everyone, are we all settled into the morning rugby routine then? The last of the home nations launches their bid for World Cup glory as Wales take on reigning champions South Africa in Wellington. Wales like to play with pace and skill, rather than the more brawn-based approach of the Springboks, so Warren Gatland’s men will be disappointed that conditions are far from ideal in the New Zealand capital, according to our man on the scene.
— ’re ’s , . : A ‘Malign Intellectual Subculture’ – George Monbiot Smears Chomsky, Herman, Peterson, Pilger And Media Lens.
