Rhys Webb has had a fine November at scrum-half for Wales © Getty Images

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It's been another tumultuous week in the valleys. Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards have been on the defensive after the management's awful record against quality southern hemisphere opposition came into question and this weekend they're missing a number of their star men for another defining clash with South Africa. Richard Hibbard and Paul James are back with their English clubs and George North misses out with concussion.

Much of the talk about the Welsh hoodoo - the one that has seen them lose 26 of 27 against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand under Gatland (and 22 on the bounce) - has focussed on the impact (or lack of) of their replacements bench. Once again against the All Blacks last weekend they competed manfully for 68 minutes before being blown away in the dying minutes. Memories linger of their trip to South Africa in June where they also blew a big chance late on. That bench this week looks under-strength, especially in the front row, while Mike Phillips and Rhys Priestland will have to control the game considerably better than they have in recent weeks from half-back.

Team news

• Wales: George North misses out with concussion for Wales, while their other English-based players are with their clubs. That hits the front row hard - Paul James is replaced by fit-again Gethin Jenkins, while Scott Baldwin is in for Richard Hibbard. Rhys Webb has recovered from a knock to start at scrum-half and is joined by his club partner Dan Biggar. There's a raw looking set of replacements in the front row, in the shape of Emyr Phillips, Aaron Jarvis and Rhodri Jones.
• South Africa: The Boks have also had their hand forced by club commitments, with their entire back three being swapped. Le Roux, Hendricks and Lwazi Mvovo are in for Johan Goosen, JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana. Elsewhere, Jannie du Plessis is injured and is replaced by Coenie Oosthuizen and Bismarck du Plessis returns in place of Adrian Strauss, who is on the bench.

Ireland have done it: can the Welsh? They've blown chances against New Zealand and Australia, while the Irish have beaten the Springboks and Wallabies this month. It's difficult to estimate quite the effect a win would have but, months from the World Cup, it's not hyperbolic to suggest that it is vital. Surely Gatland and co cannot expect glory at the World Cup - where they've asked to be judged - without a win over one of the world's finest teams. After all, it's not just the Six Nations teams who are travelling to England next September. Now seems the perfect chance to smash the hoodoo.

The opposition in Cardiff this weekend are formidable, though. The Springboks are the only team to beat the All Blacks in the last two years and, while they've had a patchy tour of Europe and are missing some stars, have quality in every department.

In form

It's taken an injury to George North to get him into the side, but Wales will be mighty pleased to have Liam Williams back, even if he's not as potent on the wing as he is at full-back. It was Williams whose penalty try-conceding shoulder charge cost Wales the game in Nelspruit in June when the man who he lines up opposite this weekend, Cornal Hendricks, was in to score. He was the only Welshman to perform two weeks ago against Fiji, covering 207 metres, and will have a point to prove against South Africa after his mistake in June. Rhys Webb was in sparkling form against New Zealand and will be key to Wales' attacking ambitions.

When World Rugby's try of the year shortlist was announced earlier this month, twinkle toed Willie Le Roux wasn't nominated but was the standout figure as the videos filtered through, playing a major part in two of the selected scores. With Le Roux, you never know what's coming next in attack, be it an offload or a rapid break, and Wales will have to be at their most vigilant to keep him in check. Liewise, No.8 Duane Vermeulen was nominated for World Rugby's player of the year alongside Le Roux and is a huge, often unmanageable presence. If Wales can stifle his carrying and evade his big hits, that elusive Southern Hemisphere victory could be theirs.

Jean de Villiers jostles with Handre Pollard in training © Getty Images

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Out of form

Even at 34 and with 114 Tests under his belt, Gethin Jenkins has more to prove than ever. This weekend he deputises for Bath-bound Paul James at loose-head after a pretty torrid year that has seen him struggle at the scrum and regularly binned, then replaced, as a result. Jannie du Plessis, who would normally be lining up opposite him, is absent, but he must still face a formidable scrummager in Coenie Oosthuizen.

Key battle

There are brilliant battles everywhere - Webb and Cobus Reinach, Leigh Halfpenny and Le Roux, Taulupe Faletau and Vemeulen - but a truly titanic battle awaits in midfield. Jamie Roberts and Jean de Villiers are two of the world game's largest and classiest inside centres, both powerful, straight runners, silky off-loaders and the heaviest of tackles. They go head to head with a more evasive man outside - in Jonathan Davies and Jan Serfontein - and some of the hits will be huge. The pair have been lining up opposite each other for years - as far back as the 2009 Lions tour and beyond - and know each other's game inside out. The direction of the backline battle will hinge on whether one can keep the other quiet. Keep an eye on the men inside them, too: Dan Biggar's place looks secure and while Pat Lambie has been in fine form, he still has much to do to keep the young upstart Handre Pollard on the bench up to the World Cup and beyond.

Stat

• There have been 29 matches between these two across 108 years, with just one Welsh win and one draw. Wales' win came in Cardiff in 1999.

Odds

The bookies are favouring South Africa - Unibet are offering them at 8/3 on, while you can get Wales at 19/10.

Prediction

South Africa by 3