Springbok fullback Willie le Roux has called on his teammates to finish the year on a high and give coach Rassie Erasmus an early Christmas present in Cardiff on Saturday.
South Africa will play in their 14th and final Test of the year, having won seven out of the 13 Tests to date.
But having lost to Wales in their first international match under Erasmus at the start of the season, they will look to prove to their boss that they’ve made some progress in 2018.
SA also lost the last match of 2017 to the Welsh, when then-coach Allister Coetzee’s charges were downed 24-22.
Le Roux says: “This is the last game of the season for a lot of the guys, so one more week of hard work and they can have some time off.
REWARDS: Erasmus. Photo: FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA
“To end the tour on a high would be unbelievable for the squad and the people back home.”
Le Roux adds that the Boks have reverted back to a more traditional style under Erasmus.
He explains: “We went back to our traditional way [this year], how the Springboks play rugby. There was a stage where people did not fear the Springboks any more or the badge.
“We are getting that back through the structures Rassie has built.
“Everyone in the team is equal, and it makes a big difference.
“The guys are playing for each other more and we know what it means for our country back home.”