Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus insists his team will show Wales respect despite their poor form and admits they will have to be at their best to beat them.

The Welsh are currently on an 11-match losing streak and come into Saturday’s meeting in Cardiff on the back of a 52-20 defeat to Australia at the Principality Stadium.

Facing up to the world champion Springboks is not what head coach Warren Gatland would have been wanting as his next assignment as the Boks eye up a tour sweep.

Close games

However, Erasmus thinks it would be wrong to write off the Welsh in the Autumn Nations Series fixture and touched on their meetings with them in the recent past.

“Wales are a proud nation with a world-renowned coach in Warren Gatland, and they will do everything to finish their campaign on a high note,” warned the coach.

“We’ve experienced first-hand how a run of defeats can galvanise a team, and the fact that they’ll be playing at home with a passionate crowd behind them will inspire them even more – just as our supporters inspire us when we play at home.

“Obviously we’d love to finish the tour unbeaten, but we are well aware of the fact that we’ve have a few close results against them over the years at the Principality Stadium.”

Erasmus also used the Wallabies as the “perfect example” as to how quickly a team’s fortunes can change, with Joe Schmidt’s outfit suddenly brimming with confidence.

“A lot can change in rugby with a change in confidence and mindset, and Australia is a perfect example of how things can change in the sport if one considers how well they are playing now compared to last year,” he said.

“So, we’ll show Wales the same respect we showed England and Scotland, and we know we know we have to be at our best to come out with the result we want.

“They are a team with everything to gain and nothing to lose, so it would be careless of us to think that we just need to pitch up and the result will go in our favour. In fact, a little over a year ago, they played in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, which is a testament to the force they can be.”

The Springboks have made seven changes in personnel to their starting side that was named on Tuesday, with Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse lining up as half-backs.

Jean Kleyn praise

Erasmus, whose squad includes 17 World Cup winners, was also delighted to have Jean Kleyn back in the mix, with the second-row starting alongside Franco Mostert.

“Jean is an experienced player who has played in two World Cup tournaments, one for the Springboks and one for Ireland, and he has been in good form for Munster, so it’s good to have him back in the team alongside Franco who he knows very well,” he said.

“Both of them only recently returned from injury and will play pivotal roles in the lineouts and set-pieces, and we have no doubt Eben (Etzebeth) and RG (Snyman) will make a big impact off the bench with their high work rate and physicality around the park.”