Thursday 30 November 2017 18:39, UK
South Africa coach Allister Coetzee has handed debut starts to Warrick Gelant and Dan du Preez as the Springboks make wholesale changes for their meeting with Wales.
Saturday's fixture, which falls outside the World Rugby autumn Test match window, will conclude both nations' international commitments this year and Coetzee has unveiled five changes to the Boks' starting line-up.
Gelant, who plays in Super Rugby for the Bulls, excelled as a second-half replacement in their 35-6 victory over Italy last weekend and will start on the wing, while Du Preez will wear the No 8 jersey in Cardiff.
Four of the 11 team changes are in the forwards pack with Tendai Mtawarira (groin) a notable absentee, alongside Bath flanker Francois Louw and Toulon No 8 Duane Vermeulen, who are out of contention after returning to their club sides.
Eben Etzebeth will captain the Springboks for the 11th time this season from the second row and will be joined in the pack by Siya Kolisi, who is back at blindside flanker after missing the Italy Test to take parental leave.
The uncapped duo of centre Lukhanyo Am and scrum-half Louis Schreuder will join Bongani Mbonambi on the bench as two of the changes among the replacements, with Uzair Cassiem, Oupa Mohoje and Ruan Dreyer also included in the matchday squad.
"It will be a different challenge altogether this week - Wales are renowned for their passing game and their width on attack," said Coetzee.
South Africa: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Warrick Gelant, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ross Cronje; 1 Steven Kitshoff, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Siya Kolisi, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Dan du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Bongani Mbonambi, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Oupa Mohoje, 20 Uzair Cassiem, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Lukhanyo Am.
