South Africa will bid to complete a clean sweep in the first phase of the Nations Championship as they take on Wales in Durban.
The world champions are two from two this July after overcoming Scotland in a hard-fought encounter last weekend, and Rassie Erasmus has the confidence to freshen up his Springboks squad again. Chances are handed to a host of new faces, including fly half Vusi Moyo – barely 20, the playmaker is exceptionally highly-rated and starts on Test debut with just with just an hour of senior rugby under his belt.
Can Wales put the pressure on him and the rest of the hosts? Steve Tandy’s side have shown signs of real promise over the last fortnight, but will recognise the size of the challenge facing them at Kings Park. A grisly defeat last November won’t carry many happy memories, though there are still a few in the squad who will recall the 2022 victory on South African soil. Could another shock be in store?
Follow all of the latest from the Nations Championship clash with our live blog below:
Steve Tandy ready for physical encounter
Wales boss Steve Tandy knows his side will have to ratchet up the physicality today.
“It’s definitely going to be a physical encounter, you see the set-piece, every breakdown.
“It’s going to be an awesome opportunity for us to pitch up against South Africa and test ourselves against the best team in the world in their own home. It’s going to be exciting for us but we know what they bring.
“I’ve loved the year, it’s been awesome for me, I’ve loved getting to know the boys. I think we’re developing as a team and finishing off our season with a game against the world champions is outstanding for us and another opportunity to experience different things.”
Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth apologises for eye gouge after ban — but says it was ‘never intentional’
Eben Etzebeth is not involved today after picking up an injury before the England game, though Alex Mann, the gougee, is. Etzebeth did apologise for the incident after being handed a lengthy ban.
Their last meeting…
The last meeting between the pair was unedifying in so many ways, a one-sided clash never really a contest and marred by a moment of madness from Eben Etzebeth.
Steve Tandy freshens up Wales side
Steve Tandy has freshened up his Wales team for today’s Nations Championship clash with South Africa in Durban.
Tandy has made six changes from the side beaten 35-21 by Argentina last weekend, with Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Dan Edwards, Ben Thomas, Max Llewellyn and Louis Rees-Zammit coming in.
Captain Dewi Lake is fit to start having been a doubt with a groin injury this week but Ben Carter misses out with an ankle problem suffered in training on Wednesday.
Tandy has broken up the established centre pairing of Eddie James and Joe Hawkins, with Thomas and Llewellyn coming in.
“I think it’s a bit of freshness in the centres,” said the Wales head coach. “I thought the combination with Joe and Eddie has been excellent for us but we feel Max and Ben deserve an opportunity.
“Max I thought did really well for us in the autumn, unfortunately he got injured, and then Ben has responded really well since being left out from the England game.
“It’s exciting for us. Moving things around, freshening up, there’s lots of travel. And obviously it’s the back end of the season so it’s a good opportunity for us to try a few different combinations.”
Wales train in Durban before Springboks Test
Springboks name uncapped quartet in team to face Wales
There are four new faces for the Springboks today – here’s what you need to know:
South Africa vs Wales LIVE
South Africa and Wales collide on the final weekend of the first phase of rugby’s new Nations Championship as the Springboks bid to complete a clean sweep in July. England, emphatically, and Scotland – rather more squeakily – have been seen off by the world champions already – can Wales spring a shock?
Kick off is at 4.40pm BST.
