Matching The Bomb Squad? Tandy Turns To A Dramatic 6-2 Split To Face The Springboks In Durban

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named his team to face South Africa in Saturday’s Nations Championship clash, making six changes to the side that lost to Argentina last weekend.

After an impressive opening victory over Fiji, Tandy’s men were comprehensively beaten 35-21 by Argentina in San Juan. Having endured their second long-haul trip in the space of a week, Wales now face an even sterner challenge against the reigning world champions in Durban.

Captain Dewi Lake has been declared fit to start, while Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Dan Edwards, Ben Thomas, Max Llewellyn and Louis Rees-Zammit all come into the starting XV.

Cardiff centre Ben Thomas will make his first appearance of the Nations Championship, while Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell and Reuben Morgan-Williams are also in line to feature for the first time this summer after being named among the replacements.

Tandy has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench as he looks to counter South Africa’s formidable forward pack.

Meanwhile, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus named his side earlier this week, making 10 changes to the team that secured a 42-28 victory over Scotland last weekend.

Four uncapped players have been included, with wing Jaco Williams, fly-half Vusi Moyo, lock Ruben van Heerden and prop Carlu Sadie all set to make their Test debuts.

Wales XV: Blair Murray; Louis Rees-Zammit, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake (captain), 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 Morga