Wales may have lost to New Zealand last weekend but the 51 times capped Springboks prop, who can play on both sides of the scrum, is expecting Wayne Pivac’s side to be a lot better this weekend. “It’s going to be tough,” said the 32-year-old.
“They might have conceded a few penalties [against New Zealand in the scrum] but that’s in the past. They would have gone back to look at their clips and see what they can rectify.
“It’s not going to be a walk in the park for us. We don’t want to look too much into what happened last week.
“This is international rugby and they’re going to come out firing. It’s going to be about who is more ready for who during the game.“I don’t take them lightly and they will bring a good performance.” Nyakane will pack down against a Wales front row which includes Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, and Tomas Francis.
The Springboks are considered to have the best scrum in the world with Nyakane a big reason for that. But he is full of respect for the Welsh scrum and expects a touch battle at the set-piece tomorrow.
“They’re missing some of their players but, like I said, Springbok rugby is always about set piece dominance and physicality,” he said.
“So that’s what we look to do during the game, we try to dominate in the set piece. It doesn’t matter who we play, it’s always a focus point for us.
“But they’re a quality side. I don’t think it matters how many guys are gone, whoever comes in is going to bring it. It doesn’t get any easier.
“It’s a focus point for us but they have obviously picked the right squad for them and put in the right replacements. Patience will very much be needed because in international rugby you don’t just find space.
“But when the opportunity arises, you need to be able to identify it and take it. We know this is not going to be a walkover at all.”
