Last-gasp Gareth Anscombe conversion seals Wales' historic win in second South Africa Test
Wales take three-match series to a decider after first win over Springboks in South Africa
Conversion from left touchline by Gareth Anscombe wins it at the death for the tourists
Wayne Pivac and Co now looking for a series-winning victory in Cape Town next week
Wales made history in Bloemfontein with a late Josh Adams try and Gareth Anscombe conversion securing their first ever victory in South Africa over the Springboks.
Wayne Pivac’s men had been cruelly denied in the first Test when a last-gasp Damian Willemse penalty broke their hearts, but they finally got one over the Springboks in the Rainbow Nation. Wales looked dead and buried at one stage and it looked as though South Africa's physicality might just have taken its toll on the men in red.
But they refused to throw in the towel and their patience paid off when prolific try scorer Adams sneaked in at the corner with a mere two minutes remaining. But the game was not won as Wales still had to knock over a touchline conversion. Anscombe stepped up with the weight of a proud rugby nation on his shoulders, but despite South Africa’s frantic attempts to charge down the Ospreys man came up trumps to secure a memorable day for the Northern Hemisphere after Ireland and England’s victories over New Zealand and Australia, respectively.
“Do you know what after last week we spoke about the disappointment and hurt we felt to lose in the way we did right at the end,” said Wales wing Adams.
“We said if we can bottle the hurt and disappointment up as a team then it can be used effectively. I think it showed the character of the team the way we came back. There was a bit of a slump there and we were 12-6 down but we came back to win it. I think it speaks volumes of this team.
“It was a very special moment for Gareth. That was a pressure kick, right by the touchline to take us in front. He’s absolutely nailed it. I’m super chuffed for him especially after missing the birth of his second child.
“South Africa’s defence is renowned to be a strong one and rightly so because it is. It takes a lot of effort and a lot of time to break a defence like that down.
“The try at the end I thought was taken excellently by the team. We went through the motions with the forwards, sucked them in, and we ended up scoring at the corner. As a squad we are absolutely delighted especially after last week."
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber’s controversial decision to make 14 changes to his starting XV backfired as Wales came out on top.
The visitors were gifted the perfect start when the hosts were penalised going off their feet at the breakdown which allowed Dan Biggar to open the scoring. But the Springboks hit back immediately as they stretched Wales’ defence with Kurt Lee-Arendse nearly crossing at the corner, but they had to make do with three points from the boot of Handre Pollard.
Biggar and Pollard both missed long-range penalty attempts but the Springboks were winning the contact area with their driving lineout and explosive ball carriers putting them in strong positions. But Wales defence coach Gethin Jenkins would have been delighted with Wales’ defence in the first 40 minutes as they soaked up wave after wave of South African pressure.
The Springboks took the lead almost immediately after the break through Pollard’s boot before Biggar failed with his attempt at the posts. Pollard extended South Africa’s lead to six points but the Leicester Tigers bound playmaker then missed a shocker in front of the posts. But even so the Springboks were close to breaking clear with the likes of Andre Esterhuizen and Arendse breaking off tackles. Replacement second-row Alun Wyn Jones was then controversially sent to the sin bin for allegedly using his hands in the ruck, however the replays showed the ball being kicked by a South African boot with Wales’ most capped player not even touching the ball. The Springboks went to the corner and made it a two-score game courtesy of Pollard’s boot.
But Anscombe claimed three points back to give Wales a fighting chance going into the final 10 minutes of this clash. Replacement tighthead Sam Wainwright won a penalty at the scrum to allow Anscombe to drill the ball into South Africa’s five metre line. Wales got their mauling game going which forced the world champions to concede a penalty, and after some patient build-up play Adams scored at the corner with a sensational touchline conversion from Anscombe creating history.
Wales will have an opportunity to win the test series in Cape Town next Saturday and the enormity of that challenge isn’t lost on Pivac.
“It hasn’t happened before,” said Pivac when asked about the enormity of winning a test in South Africa. “We are in the race to win the series next week.
“It’s going to be a huge challenge and it will be a different South African side as we know. It just makes for a good series.
“It’s going to be a big week for us and we’ll look forward to it. It was a bit like last week. It came down to the last play.
“We were hanging in there. What a great scrum from Sam Wainwright at the end and Chicken (Anscombe) kicking that conversion from the try line.”
Match details
South Africa: W Gelant; K Arendse, J Kriel, A Esterhuizen, A Fassi (D Willemse 68); H Pollard (G Williams 74), J Hendrickse; T du Toit (M Mchunu 48), J Dweba (V Koch 41), T Nyakane (V Koch 41), E Etzebeth, M Orie (R Nortje 60), M Coetzee (R Elastadt 48), P du Toit, E Roos (D Fourie 48).
Wales: L Williams; L Rees-Zammit, G North, N Tompkins A Cuthbert (J Adams 17); D Biggar (G Anscombe 52), K Hardy (T Williams 41); G Thomas (W Jones 50), R Elias (D Lake 50), D Lewis (S Wainwright 66), W Rowlands (A W Jones 55), A Beard, D Lydiate (J Navidi 60), T Reffell, T Faletau.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Scores 0-3 Biggar pen 2, 3-3 Pollard pen 6, 6-3 Pollard pen 44, 9-3 Pollard pen 52, 12-3 Pollard pen 52, 12-6 Anscombe pen 66, 12-11 Adams try 78, 13-12 Anscombe con.
Wales beat South Africa in the second Test - as it happened
06:23 PM
Pollard reacts
Handre Pollard kicked all of South Africa's point today and he has told Sky:
"Discipline cost us in the second half. Wales won all the small moments to the end of the game.
"Of course you could have converted a few opportunities when we were in the 22. It's difficult.
"The guys fought hard an that's all you can ask for. Guys who haven't played together for years."
06:20 PM
Pivac speaks
The head coach has spoken after a historic victory, he told Sky:
"A bit like last week it comes down to one of the last plays. A great scrum from Wainwright and Anscombe's kick. He is a quality kicker. I had confidence in him. He missed one but got the one that mattered.
"The difference this week was we worked hard in defence and our discipline.
"There was a lot of passion before the game and at half-time. They were keen to get the job done after last week. Pleased we got there, it wasn't easy.
"We are a bit disappointed we aren't 2-0 up. It makes for a good series and we look forward to it."
06:10 PM
Here's the try...
Adams' try was the decisive action in this match with Anscombe sealing the win!
Have a look here:
🎙️ "ITS JOSH ADAMS IN THE CORNER!"
Wales get the first TRY of the game and they are on the brink of creating HISTORY! 😱
🏉 #SAvWAL pic.twitter.com/2TdSPzbN8t— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2022
06:08 PM
Adams speaks
The try-scorer Josh Adams, who didn't start the match, has spoken on that try.
He spoke to Sky:
"After last week we spoke about the disappointment and hurt we had to lose how we did. You can bottle that hurt and it can be used affectively.
"South Africa's defence is renowned to be strong. IT takes a lot of effort and time to break it down. We went through the motions and we ended up scoring in the corner.
"Very special for Gareth [Anscombe]. It's a clutch kick that is. He has absolutely nailed it. Especially after missing the birth of his son."
06:04 PM
Full-time: South Africa 12-13 Wales
What have we just watched?
What a story for Anscombe! He replaced the injured Biggar, he kicked one penalty but then missed another. But Adams' try cut the score to 12-11 and Anscombe had the stomach to kick that conversion.
Wow! The series comes down to the last Test.
06:00 PM
Full-time: South Africa 12-13 Wales
South Africa come away with it and they are on the hunt here but Koch knocks on!
Wales have won for the first time in South Africa! Emotional scenes on the pitch
05:58 PM
80 min: South Africa 12-13 Wales
Oh my there's a knock on from Wales, a scrum to come. I am so nervous, I don't know how Wales fans are feeling.
Surely South Africa won't snatch it back? Or will they?
05:57 PM
CON ANSCOMBE! South Africa 12-13 Wales
AND HE HAS DONE IT!
What a story, the replacement fly-half has put Wales ahead. Can they hold on for the last minute?
05:56 PM
TRY ADAMS! South Africa 12-11 Wales
Wales fizz the ball wide and Adams races to the corner.
Anscombe is potentially kicking for the win here, the pressure!
05:55 PM
77 min: South Africa 12-6 Wales
South Africa concede a scrum penalty and Wales kick to corner, will the first try come here?
The line-out is clean and the rolling maul has been brought down, Wales have the advantage.
They are chipping away, phase by phase.
05:53 PM
75 min: South Africa 12-6 Wales
Rees-Zammit kicks and chases but Willemse collects and clears.
This game is coming down to the wire, one score by either team could seal this.
Pollard is coming off with an injury, Williams is on for the Boks. A debut and having to take over from Pollard, not too much pressure!
Wales have more nightmares at the line-out as they knock on, a scrum to come.
05:51 PM
73 min: South Africa 12-6 Wales
Wales thread some phases together with Lake picking up a risky pass well, he did well not to knock on.
But Beard fumbles the ball and South Africa clear their lines. L Williams does well to get back and recover the ball.
Willemse picks up Anscombe's clearance kick and here come South Africa again. Pollard tries a cross field kick but Falatau comes away with it. So scrappy!
05:48 PM
70 min: South Africa 12-6 Wales
Etzebeth concedes again as he made contact with Wales' jumper in the line-out.
Anscombe points to sticks and it goes wide. It must be frustrating for Wales fans, if their kickers had scored all their kicks they would be ahead.
05:46 PM
68 min: South Africa 12-6 Wales
Etzebeth concedes a penalty and Wales kick upfield, could this be the moment they have been waiting for? They need to take any opportunity here as South Africa have had control for a large period now.
Willemse is on for Fassi for South Africa.
05:44 PM
PENALTY ANSCOMBE! South Africa 12-6 Wales
Lewis is off and Wainwright is on for his debut.
Anscombe has pointed to the sticks and strikes it cleanly! A great first kick for the Welshman.
AWJ is back.
05:42 PM
65 min: South Africa 12-3 Wales
Etzebeth gets a hand into the line-out but rolls out of play, Wales get the set-piece again and Lake's throw isn't straight again.
A Boks scrum, which sees Wales' Tompkins invovled as AWJ is in the bin, sees them come away with it but Wales win the penalty.
There's a break in play as Lewis is receiving treatment again.
05:39 PM
63 min: South Africa 12-3 Wales
South Africa get another penalty at the scrum and they launch an attack. Fassi makes a good break but he kicks away, we come back to the earlier pen.
They kick upfield and have a clean line-out. But it's Wales who get the penalty through obstruction.
This game is yet to get into the gear of the one we saw last week. Anscombe has kicked away, this could be a chance for Wales.
05:36 PM
60 min: South Africa 12-3 Wales
I've rewatched the ruck A Wyn Jones was involved in and I still can't see what was so bad he got a yellow. A tough call there for Wales but it will be a test to see how they handle this.
Navidi is now on and so is Notje.
Wales have a line-out but the throw isn't straight. Boks scrum to come.
05:35 PM
PENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 12-3 Wales
Gelant made a great run but his pass is thrown out of play, another penalty advantage though so South Africa can go again.
Instead of going to the corner with a man advantage, Pollard is going for the posts.
05:33 PM
YELLOW CARD A WYN JONES! South Africa 9-3 Wales
Oh my that was quite a miss! It goes way wide and Wales are still in touching distance.
Fourie has got right among the action, a fun fact he is the oldest player to debut for South Africa at 35.
Alun Wyn Jones is now getting a yellow! That's the second week in a row for the Welsh legend. He looks flabbergasted. It's for hands in a ruck but seems tough
05:30 PM
55 min: South Africa 9-3 Wales
Fassi puts great pressure on Tompkins who has to pass to Rees-Zammit in their own 22 as South africa look to pounce.
The Welsh penalties are clocking up as the Boks play with an advantage again. Hendrikse tries a kick through but it doesn't come off, we come back for the advantage again.
The posts again! A Wyn Jones is on for Rowlands.
05:26 PM
PENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 9-3 Wales
Pollard gets the kick to give South Africa a bigger lead.
Biggar has now gone off with that shoulder injury, Anscombe is on.
05:26 PM
51 min : South Africa 6-3 Wales
Wales make changes as Lake and Jones come on.
South Africa try a rolling maul but are told to use it. They edge into the 22 and a penalty advantage goes the Boks way.
Pollard attempts a kick through but it's charged down so we come back for the advantage. They point to the posts again. My hope of seeing a try is slowly ebbing away.
05:23 PM
49 min: South Africa 6-3 Wales
Well, well Wales win the scrum penalty as South Africa break foot. Biggar kicks to the corner in Wales' best chance of the second 40.
Before it gets underway there are some Springbok changes - I'll confirm those when I can but I know one is Fourie.
Marx, the super sub, wins a turn over to halt Wales' go forward.
05:21 PM
46 min: South Africa 6-6 Wales
No the score doesn't level up as Biggar's attempt goes wide.
Pollard catches the restart and pushes T Williams to the floor in a great fend. It's kicked away but Rees-Zammit's catch is judged a knock on. Here comes the scrum.
05:19 PM
44 min: South Africa 6-3 Wales
Wales get the penalty as South Africa was in front of the kicker. Biggar points to the sticks, surely it isn't going to be level again so quickly?
05:18 PM
PENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 6-3 Wales
Wales have their hands on the floor at the breakdown so it is a South Africa penalty.
Worrying scenes for Wales as Biggar is down following a tough tackle. He will play on despite his shoulder looking as though it is giving him pain.
Pollard points to the sticks and the fly-half slots it.
05:15 PM
42 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
Williams is on for Hardy - a tough call on Hardy. I thought he had a solid 40.
Advantage is being played in Wales' favour as South Africa knock on a high ball. The advantage is over as the hosts launch another attack.
05:13 PM
Back underway! South Africa 3-3 Wales
Here we go, will we get a try in this clash?
It's been a bit start stop so far but knowing these two massive Test sides some scores will flow soon. I hope.
No update on Cuthbert's injury but Sky reporting his arm is in a sling.
Marx is on for South Africa too - the super sub replaces Dweba. Koch is also on.
05:04 PM
First half in photos
Well the scoreboard may not be impressive but there have been some physical moments in this Test.
Take a look:
04:58 PM
Half-time: South Africa 3-3 Wales
The half-time siren rang but there was a scrum to play before the break. Wales got the penalty with South Africa not pushing straight and Biggar kicks out.
Only two penalties separate the sides so far in a match that has seen a mass of errors thwarting the brilliance we saw last week.
Will these sides be separated in the next 40? We'll find out shortly...
04:55 PM
38 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
South Africa's sloppy afternoon continues as P S Du Toit almost spills the line-out and then they knock on. We come back for a scrum.
A slight break in play as Lewis receives some treatment.
04:53 PM
37 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
Biggar kicks cross field and Rees-Zammit collects, he feeds Williams who then hits it out of play.
South Africa's line-out is clean and they clear their lines for a Welsh line-out on halfway.
This match needs an injection of pace, a try would do that but it's tricky to see who will score it. But here comes Dweba who runs cracking metres after the Boks turn the ball over! Wales think they have it back but Biggar is drilled into touch.
04:50 PM
34 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
Roos, who wins his first cap today, also received treatment in that break but all players stayed on the pitch.
Wales now set off in their latest pursuit, will fans get to see a try in this first half? Well not just yet as Hardy kicks and the mark is taken by Fassi.
Wales do get the ball back but a kick through from Biggar has too much on it for Williams to collect. This game is so stop start right now.
04:46 PM
31 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
Wales turn the ball over as South Africa wheel the scrum! Such a scrappy match here.
South Africa have had 60% possession but they only have three points so far. They set off in search of the first try once more but Reffell turns over the ball. The Leicester man is having a great start to his Test career.
There's a slight break in play as Beard receives some treatment, looks like a wrist problem.
04:43 PM
29 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
Pollard makes a great break and after a few more phases Gelant kicks to the corner for some territory.
We're back in the same corner Dweba didn't throw straight, this time Elias finds his man and they form a maul. But the Springboks pulls down the maul and Etzebeth wins the penalty! What a moment.
South Africa have a scrum just metres from the line here, a real test for the Welsh defence.
04:41 PM
27 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
Oh no, that is not what you want in that position. Dweba's throw isn't straight and Wales have a scrum.
Wales win the penalty at the scrum which sees South Africa's best shot at a try squandered.
Sweet Caroline is now in full flow, is there any sporting event that song doesn't get played at now?
04:38 PM
24 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
The dummy throws from South Africa trick Wales as they edge closer to the try line but Gelant comes in at the side so we go back to the advantage.
The ref has warned Biggar explicitly now, a yellow card could come soon as Pollard kicks to corner.
04:35 PM
22 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
The line-out is clean but Adams' pass to Tompkins is forward, it is the handling errors thwarting their own attack at the moment.
South Africa win the ball out the scrum but Fassi is barged into touch. The game is starting to break up now with errors from both sides stopping the flow we had at the beginning.
The Springboks win back possession as Elias' throw isn't straight, another scrum to come.
04:31 PM
20 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
South Africa chose to kick to posts from that scrum pen but Pollard misses the long range attempt.
Possession exchanges hands as both look to find the first try of match but it ends with a ball rolling out of play.
The ref is now looking at a potential high tackle by Elias on Dweba. It looks like a tough call and the ref says he doesn't see any foul play and it's play on!
04:26 PM
17 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
First scrum of the game goes Wales' way and it launches the visitors' latest attack.
Wayne Pivac's side try to play slick fast ball but it ends with Biggar spilling it, another scrum. Before it goes ahead Cuthbert has been replaced by Adams, no confirmation on why this has happened. I'm guessing injury, his frustration clear as he walks to the bench.
This scrum goes South Africa's way, to the delight of the 46,000 fans in attendance.
04:23 PM
15 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
Biggar's kick is wide but it was from just inside their half, a tricky one.
The high balls aren't agreeing with South Africa today as they knock-on, they play the advantage but Elias drops the ball so we're pulled back.
It's been a physical and fast paced game so far!
04:21 PM
12 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
Reffel almost finds a hole in the Springbok defence but he is the latest to be thwarted. A few phases later Wales win a penalty as there's a tackle off the ball by Dweba.
Biggar points to the sticks again in a bid to get Wales ahead once more, it is quite a way out mind!
04:19 PM
10 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
Tompkins get Wales out of trouble as he clears a bumbling ball in the 22. Springboks catch and run and Gelant has a ball deflect off a Welsh player to launch another attack.
But Wales win a breakdown penalty to clear their lines. Their line-out is successful after they kick upfield.
04:15 PM
7 min: South Africa 3-3 Wales
Wales looked to build an attack but a cracking counter ruck sees the hosts overturn the ball. A loose pass though spills into touch, the Springboks are lightning fast!
The physicality is brutal out there.
04:14 PM
PENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 3-3 Wales
The ferocious attack ends in a South Africa penalty after three advantages were given in the hosts' way. The ref has warned Wales for going offside twice in a row.
Pollard looks to level the scores and does! Game on.
04:12 PM
4 min: South Africa 0-3 Wales
The only change for Wales this week Alex Cuthbert wins a great high ball to continue Wales' great start to the match.
Another high ball is caught by the men in red but South Africa win the ball as North holds on at the breakdown. Pollard kicks upfield for the first Sprinboks line-out of the match, which they win and earn a penalty advantage,
They romp upfield and they are just metres from the line now.
04:09 PM
PENALTY BIGGAR! South Africa 0-3 Wales
1 min: Wales immediately get a penalty from the kick-off, S Du Toit went off his feet at the breakdown.
Captain Biggar has pointed to the stick and he gets the first points of the game!
04:08 PM
Kick-off! South Africa 0-0 Wales
Here we go!
Can South Africa wrap this series up or can Wales fight back? We will soon find out...
04:02 PM
Here come the anthems...
The fans are raring to go with the wall of noise deafening as the players ran out onto the pitch.
The anthems will get underway shortly and I can guess they will be belted out with passion.
Kick-off under five minutes away.
03:55 PM
South Africa v Wales kick-off imminent
The kick-off for this second Test will kick-off in ten minutes and I can't be the only one absolutely buzzing!
It was a cracking contest last week and it should offer up the same rugby feast shortly...
03:49 PM
Pivac speaks
Wayne Pivac is hunting history today to become the first coach to lead Wales to a win against the Springboks in South Africa.
He told Sky:
"We certainly got a lot of confidence from the first half of the match... For us we are going to try and replicate that first half and see fi we can go on with it.
"There are still some big names in that side. There are players playing for positions for a World Cup.. the minute you don't respect that side [you'll be paying for it].
"We'll be giving it our best shot."
03:43 PM
Nienaber speaks ahead of kick-off
Jacques Nienaber has spoken ahead of kick-off at 4.05pm BST and he disagrees the 14 changes to the starting XV is disrespectful.
He told Sky:
"I'm not a gambling man. We have a plan from the start of the series. There is no better opportunity to give them a run today. We are fighting to clinch this series.
"It will nice to see Handre [Pollard]. He is the guy who has been with us the least amount of time."
03:36 PM
South Africa v Wales
The amount of changes South Africa have made has been at the heart of discussions this week.
Sir Gareth Edwards has labelled it disrespectful but Wales captain Dan Biggar has said 'there's nothing in it' as the players called upon are Test level internationals.
It does say a lot about the Springboks strength in depth when you can call upon the likes of Pollard and Esterhuizen.
03:27 PM
Biggar aware Wales have to take next step
Wales led South Africa for the majority of the match last weekend, losing in the last minute of the match thanks to a Willemse penalty kick.
It was captain Dan Biggar who gave the penalty away just minutes after missing a crucial conversion. The Welsh side put out an impressive performance but they need to take the next step to bag their first win ever on South African soil, says the skipper.
"Wales must improve to make history on South African soil," he said.
“I think we gave away 19 penalties in the end, so you are always going to be under a little bit of pressure when you give that many penalties away.
“Not doubling up on errors, it has been a big focus this week that if we make an error or concede a penalty, the next phase of play is really important for us, because if you double-up or treble-up, you are in a bit of trouble against this team."
03:19 PM
South Africa won't under-estimate Wales
Captain Handre Pollard could lead his team to a series win this afternoon with the Springboks winning the first of three Tests last Saturday.
The skipper is aware of what Wayne Pivac's side will throw and them and says they won't under-estimate their opponents.
“We know Wales will get under our skin, but we won’t take a step back," he told the Springboks website. "In fact, that usually brings the best out of us.
“Wales are a tough team. They don’t go away, and they are a physical, but we are prepared for that. They also have a good tactical game, so it’s going to be hard Test rugby, but if there is space out wide we will try to take it.”
03:09 PM
South Africa v Wales team news
The hosts have made 14 changes to the starting XV who secured a last-minute win over Wales last Saturday.
Handre Pollard will captain the side with Siya Kolisi completely dropped from the matchday 23. Pollard has a lot of experience to back up the call but Jacques Nienaber has not relied solely on experience in his calls.
Six uncapped are named in the matchday 23 with two starting, in wing Kurt-Lee Arendse and No 8 Evan Roos.
South Africa: Gelant; Arendse, Kriel, Esterhuizen, Fassi; Pollard (captain), Hendrikse; T Du Toit, Dweba, Nyakane, Etzebeth, Orie, Coetzee, P Du Toit, Roos.
Replacements: Marx, Mchunu, Koch, Nortje, Elstadt, Fourie, Williams, Willemse.
Wales, meanwhile, have made one change to their starting XV. Josh Adams is benched in favour of Alex Cuthbert.
Wales: Williams; Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Cuthbert; Biggar (captain), Hardy; Thomas, Elias, Lewis, Rowlands, Beard, Lydiate, Reffell, Faletau.
Replacements: Lake, Jones, Wainwright, Wyn Jones, Navidi, Williams, Anscombe, Adams.
02:59 PM
Can Wales bounce back from heartbreak?
By Ben Coles
How much weaker South Africa really are for the second Test against Wales today can be debated.
Take out world-class players in Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi, Faf de Klerk, the centres in Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am and the wings in Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe and you lose plenty of experience and quality.
But the replacements, as the Wales captain Dan Biggar noted this week, are hardly making up the numbers. "You would almost say the ones they've picked for this weekend are the real in-form players," Biggar said. "I know the side we played last weekend are renowned, experienced, World Cup winners and the rest of that, but this team, you have got [Handre] Pollard at 10 and some real exciting form players.
"We make changes every autumn, don't we? Whether it is Georgia, Fiji, whoever it is. There is nothing in it for me. South Africa can pick who they want, and they are going to be very strong."
That being said, break up any side and fill it with new combinations and there are going to be a few teething problems.
"If we can play in the right areas, look to put South Africa under pressure, there will be opportunities and there will be cracks in their defence for us to exploit," Biggar added.
Wales were brave and quietly impressive last week in Pretoria, minutes away from a first Test win in South Africa. The sense in the aftermath was they may never get a better chance after losing 32-29, but the Springboks' selection has shifted that thinking ever so slightly.
Building on the areas where Wales did well - the breakdown, lineout, and in the kicking game, with Biggar describing Kieran Hardy's box-kicking as "excellent" - while cutting down the number of penalties from last week after conceding 19, and you never know what might happen.
One challenge will be the midfield threat of Andre Esterhuizen, the Harlequins centre and RPA Players' Player of the Season, with Biggar praising one of Esterhuizen's unheralded strengths.
“He’s got an unbelievable kicking game in fairness. He’s got a huge huge left peg. At altitude again on Saturday that’s going to be a huge weapon for them," Biggar said.
"Quins play with quite a lot of passes and continuity, while they move the ball quite a lot but what they’ve got with him is a guy who can get them over the gainline which makes life easier however you want to play.
“I think that what he’s going to bring is a couple of little subtle differences from playing for Quins. He’s used to playing with quick guys who have good footwork, and good hands so I think it will suit them playing him on Saturday with the players they’ve picked around him."
