Ioan Cunningham has made seven changes to the starting line-up as Wales prepare to take on South Africa at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.
The hosts will be without Jasmine Joyce who bagged a brace against Japan last week as she has joined back up with the GB Sevens squad with Niamh Terry coming in at full-back in her place.
Cunningham has promoted last week’s replacements after an impressive showing in Wales 23-5 win over Japan as Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips and Cerys Hale make up a new-look front row.
He 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.”
The other changes to the starting XV see Caitlin Lewis come on to the left wing while Ffion Lewis is named at scrum-half, with Alisha Butchers making her first start since March 2020 having recovered from an ankle injury.
“We were pleased with the performance and win against Japan but it’s important to back that up this week, that is what we have been working on,” Cunningham added.
“We need to adjust to a different style of play from our opposition but also put our own stamp on the game, as we did last weekend. We can’t let our guard down.”
Wales Women v South Africa:
15. Niamh Terry (Exeter Chiefs); 14. Lisa Neumann (Sale Sharks), 13. Hannah Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), 12. Kerin Lake (Gloucester-Hartpury), 11. Caitlin Lewis (Exeter Chiefs); 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)
