The Springboks will host Wales at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria this afternoon at 17h00. Loftus Versfeld is sold out for this weekend’s match, with the Springboks set to play in front of full crowds on home soil for the first time since they won the Rugby World Cup.
South Africa has never lost a test to Wales at home and all things considered, it does not look as if it will happen today. The Springbok coaching staff did take a major risk in only selecting one recognized flyhalf with Damian Willemse, Faf de Klerk and Cheslin Kolbe apparently the "backup plan".
Salmaan Moerat and Elrigh Louw are in line to make their Springbok debuts from the replacements bench against Wales in Saturday’s opening Castle Lager Incoming Series Test at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, with head coach Jacques Nienaber opting for a settled squad as they target a strong start to the season.
Moerat, who was a member of the Springbok touring squad for last season’s UK tour, and Louw have been a stand-out performers for the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls respectively in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this season, and given their fine form for their franchises, Nienaber will be expecting them to make a big impact off in what is a strong bench for the match.
Damian Willemse will start at fullback and Elton Jantjies at flyhalf in a backline featuring several familiar faces, in wings Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe, centres Lukhanyo Am and Damian de Allende, and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk.
In the front row, Frans Malherbe and Ox Nché will pack down on either side of Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager will join forces at lock, and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will form a loose trio with Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese. Am will serve as vice-captain for the match.
With a physical onslaught expected from Wales, Springbok head coach Nienaber opted for a six-two split on the replacements bench, with Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf) and veteran fullback Willie le Roux providing cover among the backs, while the forwards comprise the impactful front row of Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch, Moerat, Louw and versatile loose forward Kwagga Smith.
“We have a talented group of players, and we believe the matchday squad we selected ticks the boxes in terms of what we would like to achieve in the opening Test against Wales,” said Nienaber.
“We have the added advantage of having several players that are quite versatile, so a guy like Damian Willemse for example can cover flyhalf and centre in addition to fullback, while Kwagga covers each of the loose forward positions and can even slot in at wing with his Blitzbok experience.
“Franco also gives us options at loose forward and lock, so we look forward to seeing what this team can produce on Saturday.”
Nienaber was delighted to offer Moerat and Louw – who are both former Junior Springbok players and have made a consistent impact for their respective franchises over the last few seasons – an opportunity to start on the replacements bench.
“We have a fantastic crop of young players who have really been working hard at training and putting up their hands, and it is pleasing for us as coaches to give Salmaan and Elrigh this opportunity,” said the Springbok coach.
“Salmaan was with us on our tour to the UK last season, and despite being so young he brings a different sense of experience as a former Junior Springbok and SA Schools captain, while Elrigh also featured in a World Rugby U20 Championship and has been playing senior provincial rugby for a while.
“We have a plan for the season in terms of giving some of the young players a chance to show what they can do at international level, while at the same time taking stock of the seasoned campaigners and where they are in terms of their rugby.
“Unfortunately, with such a big squad there will always be a few unlucky players, but it is a fine balancing act to ensure we win Tests, build squad depth, and transform as a team in the way we play.
“We have a plan for the season in terms of giving some of the young players a chance to show what they can do at international level, while at the same time taking stock of the seasoned campaigners and where they are in terms of their rugby.
“This is a long season with the Castle Lager Incoming Series, the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, the year-end tour where we are also hoping to play a few SA ‘A’ games, while we are also looking further ahead to next year’s Rugby World Cup.
“That said, we are looking forward to seeing what Salmaan and Elrigh have to offer if they get the opportunity to take the field.”
Nienaber expected a tough test against Wales, saying they will give everything as they look to turn things around following a disappointing Six Nations campaign.
“Wales have been training together for a few weeks now and we have no doubt that they will give everything against us on Saturday,” said Nienaber.
“They are an experienced squad, and they have top class players in their ranks – some of which represented the British &Irish Lions last year – so we are expecting a hard grind of a Test.
“They have physical forwards and backs that spark something from nothing, so we need to deliver a quality performance in order to get our season off to a strong start.”
Tommy Reffell will win his first senior Wales cap having been selected at open-side flanker. The former U18 and U20 captain will become the 1,178th Welsh men’s international when he takes to the pitch on Saturday.
Dan Lydiate starts at blind-side flanker, his first international appearance since the match against Ireland in the 2021 Guinness Six Nations. Taulupe Faletau (No 8) completes the back row.
George North also features for the first time since the 2021 Guinness Six Nations, his last outing for Wales being the fixture against France in the final round of that Championship. He pairs up with Nick Tompkins in the midfield.
Kieran Hardy is named scrum half, his sixth start in a Wales jersey, with captain Dan Biggar winning his 101st cap at fly half.
Hooker Ryan Elias makes his ninth outing in a Wales XV this season. He is joined in the front row by Gareth Thomas (loose-head prop) and Dillon Lewis (tight-head prop). Will Rowlands and Adam Beard are selected to start in the second row for the sixth time together.
In the back three Liam Williams is fullback, while Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams are on the wings.
Rhys Carre features in a Wales match day 23 for the first time this year while Dewi Lake and Tomas Francis are the other front row replacements. Alun Wyn Jones and Josh Navidi provide the remaining forward cover.
Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe and Owen Watkin are also selected among Wales’ replacements.
The players will wear black armbands on Saturday in honour of Wales international #730 Phil Bennett, who died on 12 June.
Pivac said: “Tommy Reffell is a player we’ve been watching for some time now. He’s been in very good form with Leicester Tigers and he’s match fit – which is important with our squad not having played a lot of rugby recently. We think it’s the right time for him and what a great debut to have at Loftus Versfeld.
“Dan Lydiate and George North return for Wales. We’re very pleased they’re back after long layoffs. They’ve both worked very hard and were playing well at the time of their injuries, so it was disappointing for them to be out for so long. But to have them back, and the experience they bring, it’s great for the group.
“South Africa are world champions. We’ve played them recently in the autumn but we don’t think there will be too much change. They’ve got a very big side, a six-two split on the bench. We don’t expect much change from the way they played against us previously and it’s been very effective for them. We’re expecting a very tough game.”
Speaking about that prospect, Pivac added: “This is our first tour away as a group so it’s fantastic for us. The guys have had a good week’s build up, have really enjoyed each other’s company and just being away in different surroundings. It’s going to be a great atmosphere Saturday, a great challenge and one we’re looking forward to.”
Teams:
South Africa: 15. Damian Willemse, 14. Cheslin Kolbe, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Francois de Klerk, 8. Jasper Wiese, 7. Franco Mostert, 6. Siyamthanda Kolisi (c), 5. Lodewyk de Jager, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1. Retshegofaditswe Nché. Replacements: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Salmaan Moerat, 20. Elrigh Louw, 21. Albertus Smith, 22. Herschel Jantjies, 23. Willie le Roux.
Wales: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. George North, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Josh Adams, 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. Replacements: 16. Dewi Lake, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Tomas Francis, 19. Alun Wyn Jones, 20. Josh Navidi, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Gareth Anscombe, 23. Owen Watkin.