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Test rugby has a new team after years of campaigning ends in 'landmark win'
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Wales have made eight changes to their starting XV for the visit from world champions South Africa to Cardiff on Saturday from the one that lost 52-26 to the All Blacks.
With the match falling outside the Test window, Wales’ Gallagher PREM-based contingent cannot play, meaning Steve Tandy is shorn of stars such as Louis Rees-Zammit, Tomos Williams, Dafydd Jenkins and Rhys Carre.
Ahead of what promises to be a daunting challenge, Wales have been boosted by the return of No.8 Aaron Wainwright, who missed the contest with the All Blacks. Conversely, Tom Rogers is injured for the contest after scoring a hat-trick against Scott Robertson’s side.
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With four members of the bench last week being based in England, there are further changes among the replacements, with Cardiff loosehead Danny Southworth set to make his debut.
Among the substitutes on the bench, there are only six caps between them.
“What we want to see from the boys [on Saturday] is the same type of effort and performance as we did last weekend,” Tandy said.
“I think we showed a lot of attacking intent, a lot of toughness in the way we went about lots of the defensive effort as well, to give the supporters something to shout about.
“The fans on the weekend were electric. I think the boys really responded to how good the support was.
“When you see the charge, in and around when we score, but also when we’re going deep into the defensive set, when they’re chanting ‘Wales’, it’s just something that’s unbelievable and I’d like to thank them for all the support they’ve given the boys. We’re going into the last game, which we’re all excited about. The players love the fact of playing at Principality Stadium in front of the best support in the world.”
Wales XV
15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 13 caps)
14. Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 3 caps)
13. Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 6 caps)
12. Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 6 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 23 caps)
10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 6 caps)
9. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 27 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 43 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 25 caps) captain
3. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 18 caps)
4. Ben Carter (Dragons – 13 caps)
5. Rhys Davies (Ospreys – 3 caps)
6. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 10 caps)
7. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 10 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 61 caps)
Replacements
16. Brodie Coghlan (Dragons – 1 cap)
17. Danny Southworth (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)
18. Christian Coleman (Dragons – 1 cap)
19. James Ratti (Ospreys – 3 caps)
20. Morgan Morse (Ospreys – 1 cap)
21. Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys – 1 cap)
22. Callum Sheedy (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
23. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
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