Wales desperate, but Boks want to maintain record

Since Heyneke Meyer became Springbok coach, the Boks have won eight out of nine matches in the northern hemisphere.

This coming Saturday's clash against Wales at the Millennium Stadium is also the Boks' final outing in Britain until next year's World Cup in England. They need to leave the island on a high.

Wales are smarting over losing 34-16 to the All Blacks last weekend - their 26th straight loss to New Zealand, South Africa and Australia since 2008.

In that time, Wales have come close to pulling off victories, including a one-point loss in Nelspruit against the Boks earlier this season and also a one-point loss to the Springboks at the 2011 World Cup.

But when the crunch comes, they seem to fall short. It is probably only a matter of time before they do secure a win, but the Boks are determined that it will not be this Saturday.

"I know Wales are desperate for a win, but we're desperate to beat them as well," defence coach John McFarland said. "If we win we'll have lost one game in 10 in the northern hemisphere in the past three years.

"Also, including matches at home, we've only lost one game against northern hemisphere teams in our tenure as coaches under Heyneke Meyer.

"We're only thinking about winning and not about what it might mean for the World Cup. But, obviously, if we lose the last game of the year, we have a long time to stew over it because we won't play a test again until next July."

- Craig Ray