Faced with an overhauled Springbok team for the Test in Bloemfontein on Saturday, Wales have resisted the urge to react with a raft after changes and coach Wayne Pivac has made just one alteration to his starting lineup.
Wing Alex Cuthbert is set earn his 52nd cap for Wales, replacing Josh Adams, while George North – starting again at centre alongside Nick Tompkins – will equal Stephen Jones’ record as the most-capped Welsh men’s international back of all time with 104 when he takes to field at Free State Stadium.
Only Alun Wyn Jones (151) – named as a replacement for the second Test this weekend – and defence coach Gethin Jenkins (129) have more Wales caps.
Sam Wainwright could be in line to make his senior international debut from the bench, while Wyn Jones and Josh Adams are the other changes among the replacements.
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Pivac said: “Alex Cuthbert has been training really well. He’s six-foot-four, good in the air and runs all day. I think there will be plenty of aerial battles.
“Sam Wainwright has been very excited to join us. From day one he’s been training really well. I know he’s over the moon at his selection in the match-day 23 and his family are over here, so he’s looking forward to a big day.
“It was a great atmosphere last week and we’re expecting more of the same from the crowd in Bloemfontein this Saturday.”
On the radically overhauled Bok lineup named by Jacques Nienaber earlier this week, Pivac added: “It hasn’t changed our preparation at all. It’s going to be 15 rugby players in green shirts. We’re expecting more of the same. They are a very experienced team no matter what combinations they put out. This side is one to be respected and not taken lightly.”
Wales – 15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Alex Cuthbert, 10 Dan Biggar (c), 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Subs: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Alun Wyn Jones, 20 Josh Navidi, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Josh Adams.
