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Big guns back for Wales for Springboks Test
There is also place in the side for SA-born hooker Bradley Roberts.
Flyhalf Dan Biggar of Wales will face the Springboks in Cardiff last weekend after earlier taking on the world champions with the British and Irish Lions. Picture: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
Wales have made wholesale changes to their match 23 to take on the Springboks in their end-of-year tour Test at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
Nine changes have been named from the squad that took on the All Blacks this past weekend, with six of them coming in the run on side.
The expected return of exciting wing Louis Rees-Zammit and composed flyhalf Dan Biggar was confirmed by coach Wayne Pivac on Thursday afternoon.
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A few surprise selections also saw loose-head prop Rhys Carre come in for Wyn Jones and Nick Tompkins replace Johnny Williams at centre, while injuries to captain Alun Wyn Jones and flanker Ross Moriarty sees Will Rowlands and Ellis Jenkins replacing them respectively.
‘Different challenge’
South Africa-born hooker Bradley Roberts will also be in line to make his Welsh debut against his home country with him named on the bench.
“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,” said Pivac.
“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 line out drive, so we have to make sure we’re smart in how we play the game.”
Wales: Johnny McNicholl, Louis Rees-Zammit, Jonathan Davies (capt), Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams, Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham, Ellis Jenkins, Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Rhys Carre
Bench: Bradley Roberts, Wyn Jones, WillGriff John, Ben Carter, Seb Davies, Gareth Davies, Gareth Anscombe, Liam Williams.
