Springbok defence coach, John McFarland, is wary of the way the Welsh have been conducting their training sessions and is ready to minimise the risk of the visitors.

The Boks will take on Wales in their first of the two-match series on Saturday in Durban and the way the Welsh have been preparing for the outing is similar to the Lions’ tour in Australia.

The Lions’ triumph in the three-test series against the Wallabies was built around both Welsh talent and expertise, with several members of the management being Wales coaches.

McFarland has conceded that it may come down to replicating what went right when the Lions went to Australia.

“Wales do seem to be doing something different to what they normally do on a tour this time around,” said Bok defence coach John McFarland on Monday.

“They have had full on Welsh trials, with matches between a probables and possibles team, for the first time in 20 years.

“They have also added on a midweek game (against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday). It seems they are following the same structure as a Lions tour that so many of these Welsh coaches were involved in. It does appear they are trying to replicate that.

“In short, they are showing us the mind-set of a team that knows how to win on tour. And the mind-set of a team that is here to win.”