If the opening match of the World Cup is anything to go by, Springbok forwards' coach Gary Gold will be proven right on the money, saying on Saturday that solid scrumming will be very important when South Africa take on Wales on Sunday.

"We are anticipating quite a heavy day from a scrum point of view," Gold said.

"I think the scrums are going to be a key area tomorrow [Sunday] against the Welsh."

To ensure the Boks will be up for the challenge throughout the contest, a decision was made to include two replacement props, as opposed to one which is usually the case for the opening match.

Under normal circumstances when a bench is loaded with forwards like the Boks have done, coaches usually tend to go for an extra utility forward to cover the lock and loose forward positions.

Gold said that conditions under foot is the main reasons why that specific set-piece will be such an important facet to dominate against Wales.

"At night in New Zealand you are going to see quite a lot more scrums in these games because on dewy fields handling is going to be a bit more difficult.

"We saw quite a lot of unforced errors and a lot of scrums last [Friday] night [between the All Blacks and Tonga]."

While there should be more than enough beef in the Bok squad to counter the opposing side's front row forwards, Gold said that their locks also pose a threat.

"They have been telling us they have a very good scrum and so obviously we are weary about that, but they have some seasoned campaigners in their pack, especially in their second row they've got some big boys."

When Gold meant big, he also meant tall, as Wales will be fielding Luke Charteris who is the tallest player at the tournament at 2,06 metres.

Another player that will be closely monitored is 22-year-old flank Sam Warburton, who Wales coach Warren Gatland named as his captain for Sunday's battle.

Warburton will be making history as the youngest player to lead a team at rugby's holy grail.

"I think he is a very good youngster with a lot of potential," Gold said.

"I've seen him play quite a bit of regional rugby and then obviously some Test matches and one against us last year.

"We knew about him and his reputation, he is the new Martin Williams on the block and he is good over the ball and gets a couple of turnovers , but like a young openside flank he gives a couple of penalties away as well."

At the time the forwards boss of the Boks was giving his views on Wales' captain, a very relaxed Heinrich Brüssow was sitting at his side.

Gold, however, insisted that the battle at the tackle are will not be determined by two men.

"I don't think the breakdown is going to be just about Heinrich and him (Warburton).

"It is going to be about two packs who are going to contest vigorously at the breakdown and like some of our guys said earlier this week, we know that they are going to go for us at that area."

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