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AWJ predicts titanic Springbok clash

AWJ predicts titanic Springbok clash

Alun Wyn Jones says Wales’ upcoming clash with South Africa promises to be a fast, frenetic encounter.

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Warren Gatland’s side tackle the Springboks a week on Saturday with further clashes against Argentina, Tonga and Australia to come.

First up is Heyneke Meyer’s South Africa though, a side who ran New Zealand close earlier this month.

“Having looked at the Rugby Championship, the South Africa 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 change but they’ve still got a number of guys who have been playing in the green 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 last summer, Jones will be a key figure for Wales throughout the Dove Men Series. The Wales man looks set to 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. They’ve had him lined up to fill the boots of Matfield and Botha but they’ve got a lot of guys with experience,” said Ospreys skipper Jones.

“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.”

Tickets to see Wales in action at the Millennium Stadium in the 2013 Dove Men Series – against South Africa, Argentina, Tonga and Australia – on consecutive weekends from 9th November are available online at www.wru.co.uk/tickets – prices from £25, £10 concession.

Wales Dove Men Series 2013 fixtures:
Wales v South Africa – Saturday, 9 November, Kick-Off 5.30pm – £70 / £60 / £40 / £25
Wales v Argentina – Saturday, 16 November, Kick-Off 2.30pm – £40 / £30 / £10 concession (U16) /£70 Family ticket 2 adults + 2 concession
Wales v Tonga – Friday, 22 November, Kick-Off 7.30pm – £25 / £10 concession/ £60 Family ticket 2 adult + 2 concession/ Minis/Juniors/Schools offer, with every 8 concessions purchased 2 adult tickets free
Wales v Australia – Saturday, 30 November, Kick-Off 5.00pm – £70 / £60 / £40 / £25 

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