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He’s the man responsible for masterminding the biggest shock in Rugby World Cup history...Eddie Jones’ place in the folklore of the game in Japan is secure after their 34-32 beating of South Africa on the opening weekend of the tournament.

Now Jones has delivered a blueprint for how to beat the Springboks as Wales prepare to face Heyneke Meyer’s side in the quarter-final at Twickenham on Saturday.

In an article for the Daily Mail, the former Australia coach came up with an eight-point plan he believes Warren Gatland’s men should follow at Headquarters....

Read more:Rugby World Cup 2015: Warren Gatland says Wales players 'aren't ready to go home'

Read more:Wales v South Africa head-to-heads: How Rugby World Cup heavyweights measure up ahead of quarter-final clash

1. Keep the ball in play

Wales must trust they are fitter than South Africa and keep the ball on the park as much as possible...which means kicking in-field rather than to touch.

Jones said: “Despite their terrible luck with injuries, Wales pride themselves on their fitness.

“South Africa are a big, physical side with some old heads so Wales have to try and keep the ball in play for more than 40 minutes of the game.”

Read more:Gwyn Jones' Wales v South Africa verdict: I expect a brutal, ferocious kicking contest... and Warren Gatland's men to pinch it

2. Mind games

Warren Gatland’s ability to get into the minds of his players could count for a lot, says Jones.

He said: “Warren Gatland’s psychological nous is excellent, probably the best of all the coaches at the World Cup.

“He has this ability to bring players into the team who haven’t been playing and yet they play above themselves.

“Wales’ record against South Africa is poor but I’m sure he’ll be telling his boys this has nothing to do with history. This is a one-off game and Wales have got absolutely nothing to lose.”

Read more:The Warren Gatland Q&A: We want to impose ourselves on South Africa and Wayne Barnes has 'his mojo back'

3. Speed

(Image: Getty Images)

The secret of Japan’s success against the Boks, says Jones, was playing at as quick a pace as possible.

Jones said: “Wales have to get quick and clean set-piece ball and then focus on getting over the gain line as quickly as possible.

“That’s exactly what we did with Japan to keep the Springboks on the back foot.

“We tried to play with real speed because then you can take away their rush defence, their big hits and put them under pressure.”

4. Carry on Faletau

(Image: Paul Faith/AFP/Getty Images)

Jones said: “Taulupe Faletau has been the best No 8 in the competition so far. He is such a big ball carrier for Wales and they have to get him in the game.

“Duane Vermeulen has been a bit quiet at the World Cup, but at the end of the last game against the USA he was starting to find a bit of form.

“He’s a crucial runner for South Africa and is a real threat over the ball at the breakdown as well. That is going to be one of the key head-to-heads in the game.”

5. Target Pollard

(Image: Getty Images)

Jamie Roberts should be sent battering into young Bok outside-half Handre Pollard, according to Jones.

“Pollard’s a brave guy but he’s not a dominant tackler,” Jones observed.

“So if Wales send in Roberts they can gain line momentum relatively easily, but Wales have to go with pace and precision to succeed.”

6. Get to Fourie du Preez

The iconic Springbok scrum-half has to be unsettled, says Jones.

He said: “From scrum-half he runs all their tactics, he gets their forwards on the front foot and he’s got a superb kicking game.

“And you watch how many times he will take the high ball in defence, he almost plays like a second full-back.

“He lacks that lightning acceleration he had when I was working with him in 2007 but he’s an extremely experienced, smart player and Wales have to hassle him as much as possible.”

(Image: Getty Images)

7. Stay with them on the scoreboard

Jones believes the Boks will be mentally vulnerable because of recent losses to his Japan side and to Argentina in the summer’s Rugby Championship.

“If you can stick with them for 60 or 70 minutes and still be close then they get rattled.

“That’s when they start to feel the pressure of the scoreboard and the pressure of the clock and they do not play as they would like.

“That’s exactly what we played on when we beat them.”

8. Take care of Bismarck

(Image: Getty Images)

The giant South African hooker is an imposing presence but he can be unsettled, says Jones.

“Wales have to work him hard at every scrum and at the line-out they’ve got to put him under as much pressure as possible. “Without Victor Matfield he hasn’t got that go-to line-out guy so Alun Wyn Jones has to compete to try and crank up the pressure on Du Plessis.

“The other thing is to niggle him early on in the match. If Wales can get in there physically, that can put him off his game.”