Wales have named their side to take on the Springboks at Principality Stadium this Saturday, with Wayne Pivac making several changes from the weekend’s defeat to New Zealand due to returning English Premiership players and injuries.
Alun Wyn Jones and Ross Moriarty were both ruled out for the remainder of the Autumn Nations Series with shoulder injuries, whilst the likes of Dan Biggar and Louis Rees-Zammit return to the fold from club duty.
Jones has been replaced by Will Rowlands, who will join up with Adam Beard in the second row, whilst Ellis Jenkins of Cardiff Rugby replaces Moriarty.
Elsewhere in the side, Rhys Carré comes into the front row, with Wyn Jones moving to the bench. Carré is joined by Ryan Elias and Tomas Francis.
Biggar comes back into the team at fly-half to make his 93rd international appearance, with Tomos Williams remaining at scrum-half.
In the centres, Saracens’ Nick Tompkins starts at No.12 with Jonathan Davies outside him.
In an explosive back three, Rees-Zammit returns, joined by Josh Adams and Johnny McNicholl.
There are further changes on the bench, with Bradley Roberts and WillGriff John set to make their debuts for Wales in the front row.
Ben Carter is also named among the replacements, which sees Gareth Anscombe covering fly-half, while Liam Williams returns from the operation on his appendix, and he will wear the No.23 jersey.
Pivac said: “South Africa coming to town as world champions offers a different challenge to New Zealand.
“They’ve got a massive forward pack, they’re big across the park really, and they bring a huge aerial threat so it’s going to be a different challenge.
“It’s a big Test match and we need to get what we think is the best side out there. We’re looking forward to having this side out there on the weekend and it’ll be really interesting to see how we go.“There’s a lot of experience gone from the pack now and with what’s coming in terms of the South African pack, with their experience, it’s going to be a massive challenge for our boys and it’ll be interesting to see who steps up.“Field position in this game is going to be massive with the scrum that’s coming and lineout drive, so we have to make sure we’re smart in how we play the game.”
Wales team to play the Springboks: 15 Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets), 14 Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby), 13 Jonathan Davies (Scarlets – Capt), 12 Nick Tompkins (Saracens), 11 Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby), 10 Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints), 9 Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby); 1 Rhys Carré (Cardiff Rugby), 2 Ryan Elias (Scarlets), 3 Tomas Francis (Ospreys), 4 Will Rowlands (Dragons), 5 Adam Beard (Ospreys), 6 Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Rugby), 7 Taine Basham (Dragons), 8 Aaron Wainwright (Dragons)
Replacements:16 Bradley Roberts (Ulster – uncapped), 17 Wyn Jones (Scarlets), 18 WillGriff John (Scarlets – uncapped), 19 Ben Carter (Dragons), 20 Seb Davies (Cardiff Rugby), 21 Gareth Davies (Scarlets), 22 Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys), 23 Liam Williams (Scarlets)
South Africa team to play Wales: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard (vice-captain), 9 Herschel Jantjies; 1 Ox Nché, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Kwagga Smith, 8 Duane Vermeulen
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn
