Kolisi aims to finish 'special' year with Wales win

Siya Kolisi has played 91 internationals for South Africa

Autumn Nations Series: Wales v South Africa

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 23 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT

Coverage: Live on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, live text and commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi says his side are hoping to finish their successful international year by producing a complete performance against struggling Wales.

The Springboks have followed up retaining the World Cup last year by winning the 2024 Rugby Championship.

South Africa have won 14 of their last 16 Test matches, with their only two defeats during that period both by a single point.

They have been successful in two matches in Europe this month, defeating Scotland 35-12 before overcoming England 29-20 last weekend.

But double World Cup winning skipper Kolisi believes his side can improve.

"It's been a special year and hopefully we can make it even more special with this last game," said Kolisi.

"We want to make sure we get a better performance. In the last few games we've got the win but did not achieve what we wanted, which is a more complete performance.

"Winning is the most important thing but we are looking for that team performance to close off the year properly."

Etzebeth drafted in

Wales' task was arguably made even harder on Friday after South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus announced lock Eben Etzebeth will move up from the replacements bench for the match at the Principality Stadium.

Etzebeth is South Africa's most capped player and will come in for the injured Jean Kleyn with flanker Marco van Staden drafted onto the bench.

Etzebeth and his lock partner Franco Mostert have played 207 internationals between them, two more Tests than the starting Wales side on Saturday.

The changes take South Africa's starting line-up to 638 caps, almost twice as many as Wales' 334 international appearances among their 23-man squad. The Springboks have 963 Test caps in their squad and 16 World Cup winners.

'Coach Gatland can turn Wales around'

In contrast, Wales are on a record run of 11 international defeats and are in danger of losing all 11 matches in 2024 with head coach Warren Gatland under pressure.

"No player or coaches train to lose and I feel for them," said Kolisi.

"I know they will get out of it. If anybody can get them out of it, it's coach Gatland.

"He has given a lot of new guys opportunities. It's a new team. I don't think we have seen a Welsh team with so few caps.

"Things like that take time and the more they play, the better they will get because it's giving them a lots of experience.

"I am not too stressed for them because we have been in that situation and you just pull tighter."

Kolisi believes Gatland's side need the Welsh rugby public's backing.

"The way people still support the team and come out in numbers is special," said Kolisi.

"You feel the pride here because they love the team and that's the sort of passion you want.

"When you go through a tough time as a playing group, the people go through those tough times with you."

South Africa have won six of their last seven Tests against Wales after losing four in a row against them previously.

Wales have also been successful in just one of their last 11 Test matches at the Principality Stadium.

"It's hard to beat them and a lot of us have been beaten here a couple of times," said Kolisi.

"I know what the score was last week against Australia [52-20] but their forwards got five scrum penalties.

"They have a pack that can stand up against anybody and that's a great foundation."

'I will not give away Springboks jersey'

Flanker Kolisi and head coach Rassie Erasmus have led their nation to more success this year with an expanding pool of players.

"I have had good moments this year and happy with how my body has held out," said 33-year-old Kolisi.

"I always wonder when am I going to be unable to keep up but the squad has been rotated well.

"As much as the players sometimes want to play all the games, coach Erasmus has a plan and we buy into it.

"By the time we come to play, we feel fresh and other guys have been getting opportunities so the squad depth is growing."

Port Elizabeth-born Kolisi says he is not ruling out trying to get through until the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

"I would love to go to 2027 but it's about if I can still produce, keep up and not miss trainings on a Monday," said Kolisi.

"If so, then I would love to keep going but it's about trying to go next year again and continuing to fight.

"I will definitely play for as long as I am good enough in the jersey. I am not going to just give it away, I can't do that."

South Africa team to face Wales

Aphelele Fassi; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (capt), Elrigh Louw, Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard.