The Springboks come to the home of Welsh rugby on the back of an impressive Rugby Championship campaign and the Wales defence coach knows just how stern a test Heyneke Meyer’s side will provide.
“If you like your rugby gladiatorial, then go and buy a ticket for Saturday. It will be no place for the faint of heart,” said Edwards.
“Probably the best team I ever coached against was the South Africa team of 2009. For me, this is the best South Africa team since then. I think Heyneke Meyer has done a great job with them.
“I don’t think I can give them any higher praise than that as in 2009, they beat New Zealand three times on the trot.
“We know what we’re coming up against and we have to muscle up against these guys.”
While Edwards accepts Wales must match the physicality of the South Africans, he knows they offer far more than brute power. Captain Jean de Villiers provides plenty of experience at centre while Bryan Habana, who the Springbok camp say is fit to play after his recent hamstring troubles, needs no introduction.
“We’ve practised our tackling a lot and we’ll do that again this week,” said Edwards.
“But South Africa are a skilful team, they’re not just based on power and scored four tries against the All Blacks the last time they played. They pose a lot of threats but one we’ll definitely have to measure up to is their physicality.
“We trained well last week and the conditioners did a great job. Hopefully we’re going to get some highly motivated players going into this week.”
Wales’ last meeting with the Springboks came in their opening clash of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Warren Gatland’s men were edged out by a single point that day but Edwards believes Wales have prepared well as they look to claim an elusive southern hemisphere scalp.
“I watched the game the other day, it was pretty frustrating,” said Edwards, as he looked back two years.
“We’ve had a lot of close score lines against southern hemisphere sides in the last few years.
“We’re missing two strike players in Jamie Roberts and Alex Cuthbert but we’ve got players to come in and take their positions whereas last year, we were really reeling from injury.
“Our physical preparation has been better than it has before because we’ve had everyone fit and available apart from those two players.”
Edwards also reserved special words for Wales and Cardiff Blues hooker Matthew Rees, who is spending time away from rugby after undergoing surgery.
“The whole of Welsh rugby is behind him in his recovery,” said Edwards. “All the lads are trying to rally behind him and are sending all their support to him and his family.”
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
