Kolisi urges Boks to finish strong and warns against underestimating Wales

Kolisi also said the Boks were determined not to underestimate their hosts and had prepared for the game to the best of their ability.

A win would give South Africa a second successive clean sweep on their year-end tour, and while many view the clash as a straightforward assignment for the world champions against the 11th-ranked home side, Kolisi - and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick - insist there is no such complacency within the Bok camp.

"We prepare for each game the same, and we treat every opposition team the same, and honestly, we don't have a good record against Wales in Cardiff as this group," said Kolisi.

"We know how tough the Welsh team is, and we've been in their position before when in 2015 all the guys retired at the same time, and then we went through the 2016 and 2017 seasons before coach Rassie (Erasmus), coach Stick, and many of the other coaches came into the mix, which is when we started changing things.

"Every team goes through such seasons. What's been so good with our team is that we've been chopping and changing, but while wanting to win. We know the Welsh will come for us this weekend, so we are looking forward to the game, and we'll give it our all.

"We all saw how well they played last weekend, and I think only later in the game, New Zealand pulled away. So, we're going to have to start with intensity and play within our standards."

Stick shared Kolisi's sentiments about Wales and said they are expecting a tough game.

"It's been a long tour, but the most important thing for us is to make sure that we finish strongly," said Stick.

"We probably won't be together for the next six to seven months, so we want to make the most of this opportunity.

"A lot of their younger players are getting opportunities, and they'll also want to impress their coaches, so they'll give everything they've got. Siya touched on it also earlier on that in their game against the All Blacks, at around 50 minutes, Wales were still in the game.

"So, we can't take things for granted and underestimate them. They are a proud nation when it comes to how they play the game, and they are very physical, so it's going to be tough."

Asked about head coach Rassie Erasmus' comments regarding coach Duane Vermeulen being on standby for the Boks this week, Kolisi said Vermeulen is still a beast of a player to train with.

"It's good to have him as a coach, and even at 39 years old, it's nice to train against him, because he can still set a maul, he hits the rucks hard, and he challenges us at the breakdowns.

"And now he has an opportunity to play this weekend if something were to happen to someone. So, it's a reminder that he can still do it. He's played for us, and done it all, and it's great to learn from him."

With Friday's press gathering in Cardiff marking the last captains' media conference for the year, Stick took the opportunity to thank South Africa's rugby faithful for their support.

"I'd like to thank everyone back home for all the support throughout the season, and those who travelled on tour because we always felt their presence," he said.

"The players will probably go back to their teams and play for their franchises, and for the coaches, we'll be giving back to other teams."

READ MORE: Francke Horn leads Lions to Jukskei derby at Loftus Versveld