Former Wales captain Sam Warburton believes Wayne Pivac’s team can overturn the odds and beat the Springboks in the upcoming three-Test series in South Africa.

The Welsh have never beaten the world champion Boks in South Africa in 10 previous attempts, and they will go into the three-Test tour as rank outsiders having endured a tough Six Nations campaign which ended in a disappointing defeat by Italy.

The first Test in the Republic between the Boks and Wales kicks off in Pretoria on 2 July, with the series continuing in Bloemfontein before finishing in Cape Town.

Speaking to The Rugby Paper, Warburton said Wales can shrug off their injury woes and poor form to break their losing streak in South Africa.

“They’ve got a three-Test series in South Africa and I think one away win is achievable,” Warburton said. “There’s a lot of negative press going around saying about how many injuries they’re going to have, but when the squad was actually announced, I looked at it and thought the field’s going to be really strong and really good.

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“There’s something about Wales that when the chips are down, everyone writes them off, but we are better than what most people think. Of course, South Africa are going to be red-hot favourites to win the series, but I do fancy Wales for one victory.

“It’s going to be arguably the hardest summer tour we’ve had for a long time, but if Wales can get one victory out of three, that will be successful.”

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