Jamie Roberts believes the world champion Springboks on Saturday could be the ultimate reality check for a struggling Wales side desperate to avoid a winless season.
Speaking to SuperSport in the buildup to the Cardiff clash, Roberts offered an honest assessment of the state of Welsh rugby while seeing opportunity in facing the world’s top-ranekd team.
With Warren Gatland’s Dragons steering down the barrel of a record 12th consecutive Test defeat, Roberts believes the Boks might just be the catalyst to stop the rot.
“In a weird way, there’s not a better team to come to town this week for Wales, because the best side in the world are coming to town,” the former Wales and British & Irish Lions centre said.
“If there’s ever a team to sharpen and focus the mind, it’s the Springboks.
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“This Springbok juggernaut is just another level of machine at the minute, the way they play the game, the power, just how uncompromising they are, the set pieces – it’s going to be a huge challenge for Wales.”
The 97-Test Roberts has been vocal about the team’s lack of progress, yet sees potential inspiration in confronting the seemingly insurmountable.
“I’ve been there in teams where you’ve lost quite a few games on the bounce, but when the best teams in the world rock up, you’ve got to come up to another level, not just to have any chance of winning but I think, at the minute, just to compete on the weekend,” he added.
“When I speak about this, I come from a place of care. We all care very deeply, ex-players have worn that jersey previously and seeing the tough times these young players are going through, it’s challenging.”
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