Cape Town - Wales captain Sam Warburton says it's only a matter of time before they beat one of the Southern Hemisphere's rugby powers.
Wales have failed to beat any of the southern hemisphere's big three in the last 22 attempts and have only won one in 27 games since Warren Gatland took over as coach in January 2008. Their only victory came six years ago against Australia and following defeats against the Wallabies and All Blacks this month, they are desperate to beat South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.
"The players know they are good enough and I can say with 100% certainty that it will happen," Warburton told Netwerk24. "We've worked too hard to keep on losing these matches. You can't come so close every time and keep on losing."
Wales were unlucky to lose 31-30 to the Springboks in Nelspruit earlier this year, while they also came close to beating the Wallabies a few weeks ago, losing 33-28. During last week's match against the All Blacks in Cardiff, Wales led 16-15 late in the game, before the All Blacks ran riot with three tries in the last ten minutes to win 34-16.
"I learned more from the defeat to the All Blacks than in any other one. The others were frustrating because it was poor discipline which cost us dearly."
The Springboks and Wales have faced each other on 29 occasions, with the Boks winning 27 of those. Wales' only victory came in Cardiff in 1999, while there was also a draw in 1970.
Kick-off for Saturday's clash at the Millennium Stadium is scheduled for 16:30 (SA time).
Wales have failed to beat any of the southern hemisphere's big three in the last 22 attempts and have only won one in 27 games since Warren Gatland took over as coach in January 2008. Their only victory came six years ago against Australia and following defeats against the Wallabies and All Blacks this month, they are desperate to beat South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.
"The players know they are good enough and I can say with 100% certainty that it will happen," Warburton told Netwerk24. "We've worked too hard to keep on losing these matches. You can't come so close every time and keep on losing."
Wales were unlucky to lose 31-30 to the Springboks in Nelspruit earlier this year, while they also came close to beating the Wallabies a few weeks ago, losing 33-28. During last week's match against the All Blacks in Cardiff, Wales led 16-15 late in the game, before the All Blacks ran riot with three tries in the last ten minutes to win 34-16.
"I learned more from the defeat to the All Blacks than in any other one. The others were frustrating because it was poor discipline which cost us dearly."
The Springboks and Wales have faced each other on 29 occasions, with the Boks winning 27 of those. Wales' only victory came in Cardiff in 1999, while there was also a draw in 1970.
Kick-off for Saturday's clash at the Millennium Stadium is scheduled for 16:30 (SA time).