De Villiers up for Wales challenge

New South Africa coach Peter de Villiers is looking forward to the challenge of facing Six Nations champions Wales in their two-Test tour of the country in June.

New Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is looking forward to the challenge of facing Six Nations champions Wales in their two-Test tour of South Africa in June.

De Villiers admitted Wales had surprised him with their superb form in the Six Nations as they defeated World Cup finalists England and semi-finalists France.

“Wales did surprise me in the Six Nations. I never expected them to pick themselves up so quickly after their early exit from the World Cup,” said De Villiers

“I was really impressed with how they played, but I think that is the best thing that could possibly have happened for us.

“Gatland has already said he will be bringing a full-strength squad with him, and the fact they are now the European champions makes it a challenge.

“It is much better than last year, when the Boks started against a very under-strength England team.

“At least now we know we are playing against their best, and they are the champs so there should be no problem with our motivation.”

De Villiers believes he knows exactly how to approach the Tests and claimed the Springboks will be ready for their first challenge under his guidance.

“We South Africans love a challenge and it is when there is a big challenge that we are at our best,” he said.

“We will treat the Welsh with respect, lots of it, but we are not scared of them and I am confident that whatever happens and whatever they throw at us, we will be up to it.”

But De Villiers claimed Wales are not the biggest test facing his side, with two clashes against New Zealand in the Tri-Nations on the horizon.

Those games will be played under the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) and the coach is not too concerned with re-acquainting his side with the old laws before they travel to Wales.

“We are playing the Tri-Nations under the Experimental Law Variations. With respect to the Welsh, what do South Africans see as the biggest challenge this year, the most important games for the Boks?,” asked De Villiers.

“I think you can answer that question for yourself. Everyone wants us to beat New Zealand, we play them twice in New Zealand during the Tri-Nations.

“So I have to make a choice – do I make a fuss about the Welsh tests being played under the old laws and waste a lot of time getting the players re-acquainted with the old laws, or do I just accept that they will be able to adjust on the day?

“I don't think it will be good to concentrate too much on this aspect of the series, I think that will just confuse the players.”

De Villiers said the new laws will play into the South Africans hands when they face the All Blacks later this year.

“We have players who are very good at the breakdown, so that should not be a problem, and it is why I am confident we will do well against New Zealand and Australia when the ELVs are re-applied in the Tri-Nations,” he said