Gatland changes three for Springbok clash

“It [Japan defeat] was obviously a massive shock, but it could have gone much worse”, Du Preez said. “We went over the line two or three times and can’t believe we didn’t get over”. We have talked about where we can be more disciplined and have more patience on defence.

“We certainly can’t wait for the match and although we’ve recently enjoyed a few good results there, that is history – we’ve got a plan to execute this weekend and we can’t wait for the challenge”.

Now a qualified doctor, as a medical student he found himself spending more time in hospital than even he would have wished during the British and Irish Lions losing series in South Africa six years ago.

“Tomorrow at 4pm, we start at zero”.

Du Preez will captain the Springboks in Saturday’s quarter-final against Wales at Twickenham, the third choice for the armband after injuries to Jean de Villiers and Victor Matfield forced them out of action.

“At this level and at this stage, you have to be prepared to throw in something different”, he said. They will use big ball carriers for gain line impact, with George North coming in off his Welsh wing to dig out, the breakdown brawl won’t be for the faint hearted and the scrum, lineout and driving mauls will be fiercely contested.

“It’s a different World Cup and if you look at this one, we didn’t plan it like it started with that loss to Japan”.

Heyneke Meyer’s resurgent side will take on injury-hit Wales at Twickenham with a semi-final against either New Zealand or France to follow for whoever comes out on top. It has been challenging but you have to deal with it. There is no time to moan and groan in a World Cup.

“Adam (Jones) came off with a dislocated shoulder which took two or three hours to get back in, Gethin (Jenkins) smashed his face, (Brian) O’Driscoll got a clout on his head, I injured my wrist and ended up needing an operation on it and Tommy Bowe hurt his elbow”.

“I have not played here since 2009 and although the Boks have done well here in recent years, it doesn’t count”.

“I think they have a very good chance of being the winners”.

They made the mental jump, although the physical one is unforgettable, too.

“We were talking this morning about how none of us want to go home yet and how we put in a lot of hard work in Switzerland and Doha, working hard for each other and the sacrifices you make to be in this position, meaning we could well be in a semi-final next week”.

The contest up-front will be pivotal to Saturday’s outcome, where Wales must absorb inevitable heavyweight Springboks pressure, while also looking for an edge themselves.

“We’ve seen first hand how important it is to have experienced players on the field at the end of a match and to have this kind of experience available on the bench in a knock-out match is great”, Meyer said, reports the BBC.