Wales captain Dewi Lake has been named in the team to face South Africa on Saturday, despite having struggled with a groin injury this week. Steve Tandy's side finish off their Nations Championship duties for the summer with a daunting clash with the world champions in Durban.
Six changes from Argentina defeat
The Wales coach has made six changes from last weekend's defeat to Argentina as they prepare to face the Springboks. Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Dan Edwards, Ben Thomas, Max Llewellyn and Louis Rees-Zammit are all brought in to start, while Tandy has opted for a six-two split on the bench.
Lake had been doubtful earlier this week, with Wales flying out Dragons hooker Elliot Dee. However, having been a constant in all of Tandy's Tests in charge to date, the Gloucester-bound Lake is seemingly fit to start on the weekend.
Key personnel returns
Another of Tandy's trusted personnel, Cardiff back-row Mann, is brought back into the starting side after missing his first Test under the Wales coach in San Juan. Having struggled in attack on the weekend, Tandy has ripped up his midfield. Ospreys fly-half Edwards is back in the starting side, with Sam Costelow not involved at all after last week's start. Thomas and Llewellyn both start, having last played together for Wales in the autumn. The final change sees Rees-Zammit brought back into the starting side.
Injury and selection updates
Dragons second-row Ben Carter, having established himself as a starter earlier this year, misses out on a clash with the Springboks this week. It's understood the 25-year-old was left on crutches following training on Wednesday. That hands Cardiff lock Williams his first Test start since the win over Japan in Kobe last July, with the Cardiff second-row promoted from the bench to partner Adam Beard.
With Taine Plumtree having been carrying a knock, new call-up Freddie Thomas is named on the bench. Tommy Reffell, having missed out on Steve Tandy's first two squads, is in line for his first Wales cap since last year's summer tour. Ospreys scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams is in line for his first Nations Championship appearance, with the 28-year-old set to win his third cap.
Tandy's perspective
“We’ve made some changes to the starting XV,” said Tandy. “It’s coming to the end of the season; we’ve had a big bit of travel. Some boys deserve an opportunity and it’s a chance to freshen up the team.”
“South Africa are world champions. They have loads of depth. For us, it's about putting our game out there. We want to see a real physical edge. We're going up against probably the most physical team in the world. So we know we're going to have to really step up the physicality. It's a great opportunity to test ourselves against the best team in the world.”
Wales team to face South Africa
Wales: Blair Murray; Louis Rees-Zammit, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake (c), Dillon Lewis, Teddy Williams, Adam Beard, Alex Mann, Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Ben Warren, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, James Botham, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Joe Hawkins.
