After defeating Japan 23-5 in their opening Autumn match, Wales will now welcome South Africa with the Bok Women presenting an altogether different challenge.
South Africa sit at 13th in the world, one place below Japan, with Wales two ahead in 11th, and were well-beaten in Vannes as France ran in seven tries in a 46-3 victory.
The hosts will hope for a similar reception to last week as Cardiff Arms Park roared them to their first victory in 32 months.
Jasmine Joyce scored twice, with captain Siwan Lillicrap bagging the other try before Seina Saito got a late consolation for the visitors.
South Africa earnt late points against France off the boot off Jakkie Cilliers but were out of the contest after two tries each from Safi N’Diaye and Emeline Gros set Les Bleues on their way to a comfortable victory.
Now coached by Ioan Cunningham and with professional contracts on the horizon, Wales will look to continue their good start to their Autumn campaign as they face a physical but relatively inexperienced side.
TEAM NEWS
Cunningham has made seven changes to the starting line-up against Japan with a new-look front row of Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips and Cerys Hale.
Wales will be without star player Jasmine Joyce as she returns to the GB Sevens squad, as Niamh Terry takes her place while Alisha Butchers makes her first start since March 2020 at flanker.
South Africa have a mix of youth and experience coming into their team, with Zenay Jordaan recovering from stomach illness to make her 29th appearance, the highest of the Bok Women.
Lerato Makua and Simamkele Namba are set to make their debuts from the bench, while Zintle Mpupha will come up against some Premier 15s colleagues.
The centre was the first South African to play in the English domestic league when she joined and will face off against the likes of Chiefs teammate Terry and Bristol Bears’ Elinor Snowsill.
WHAT THEY SAID
Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham said: “It was important to reward players who made an impact off the bench last weekend with a chance to start this game.
“We have also considered the short turnaround between playing on Sunday evening and Saturday lunchtime, given we have another Test against Canada next weekend
“Jaz Joyce is away on Team GB duties as they prepare for the Dubai Sevens but that gives Niamh Terry an opportunity to start after performing well in training and against the Black Ferns.
“The same goes for the other players coming in. Our preparation for the Rugby World Cup is about the whole squad, there is good competition in our group and I’m confident these players are the right ones for the different challenges South Africa will pose, especially in the physical battle.”
South African coach Stanley Raubenheimer said: “The coaching staff felt that the team did well against France, considering the low base we started from with regards to match practice and sharpness.
“This group will get another chance to show that the lessons learned from the Vannes match can deliver positive change to the mistakes that were made.
“We are up against another opponent ranked above us just seven days after playing France.
“We wanted to see at what intensity the French play and with that knowledge, we have a better idea what to expect from Wales.
“The two sides are more evenly matched than last week, so I believe we can create more opportunities for ourselves, so the challenge will be to make the most of those.”
THE TEAMS
Wales Women:
15. Niamh Terry (Exeter Chiefs); 14. Lisa Neumann (Sale Sharks), 13. Hannah Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), 12. Kerin Lake (Gloucester-Hartpury), 11. Caitlin Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury); 10. Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears), 9. Ffion Lewis (Worcester Warriors); 1. Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), 2. Carys Phillips (Worcester Warriors), 3. Cerys Hale (Gloucester-Hartpury), 4. Natalia John (Bristol Bears), 5. Georgia Evans (Saracens), 6. Alisha Butchers (Bristol Bears), 7. Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury), 8. Siwan Lillicrap (Capt, Bristol Bears)
Replacements: 16. Kat Evans (Saracens), 17. Caryl Thomas (Worcester Warriors), 18. Donna Rose (Saracens), 19. Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury), 20. Alex Callender (Worcester Warriors), 21. Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears), 22. Robyn Wilkins (Gloucester-Hartpury), 23. Megan Webb (Bristol Bears)
South Africa Women:
15. Eloise Webb (Boland Dames, 6 caps), 14. Nomawethu Mabenge (EP Queens, 3 caps), 13. Zintle Mpupha (Exeter Chiefs, England, 8 caps), 12. Chumisa Qawe (DHL WP, 5 caps), 11. Nadine Roos (Boland Dames; 1 cap), 10. Zenay Jordaan (EP Queens, 28 caps), 9. Tayla Kinsey (Cell C Sharks Women, 16 caps); 1. Yonela Ngxingolo (Border Women, 11 caps), 2. Lindelwa Gwala (Cell C Sharks, 11 caps), 3. Babalwa Latsha (DHL WP, 10 caps), 4. Nolusindiso Booi (captain, DHL WP, 25 caps) 5. Rights Mkhari (Blue Bulls Women, 4 caps), 6. Lusanda Dumke (Border Women, 9 caps), 7. Sinazo Mcatshulwa (DHL WP, 9 caps), 8. Sizophila Solontsi (Cell C Sharks Women, 7 caps)
Replacements: 16. Roseline Botes (DHL WP, 1 cap), 17. Asithandile Ntoyanto (Border Women, 6 caps), 18. Amahle Nyoba (EP Queens, 1 cap), 19. Lerato Makua (Blue Bulls Women, uncapped), 20. Catha Jacobs (Blue Bulls Women, 3 caps), 21. Unam Tose (Border Women, 4 caps), 22. Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Blue Bulls Women; 3 caps), 23. Simamkele Namba (DHL Western Province, uncapped)
