South Africa gunning for series win over Wales
Last Updated: 20/06/14 6:21pm
South Africa are aiming for a series win when they take on Wales at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
The Springboks claimed a 38-16 first Test victory in Durban last week and will be out to repeat the same 2-0 scoreline over Warren Gatland’s men when they last toured in 2008.
While Wales have never beaten the Springboks on South African soil, home coach Heyneke Meyer is not complacent to the threat offered by the tourists, and is also targeting improvement from his own charges.
He said: "They've had another week together and will be keen to lift their game on Saturday, but at the same time we were not happy with certain aspects of our game and we've worked hard to rectify that.
"This is their last match of the season, so we're expecting them to come out firing. But we also want to make a step up and ensure we keep on improving as the season progresses."
Victor Matfield will become the most-capped Test player in the history of South African rugby - making his 112th appearance – and the 37-year-old skippers a starting line-up which shows two changes from Durban.
Both alterations are in the pack, where Tendai Mtawarira returns at loosehead prop, with Gurthrö Steenkamp reverting to the bench, while Flip van der Merwe will partner Matfield in the second-row in place of Bakkies Botha.
Wynand Olivier replaces the injured Johan Goosen to provide necessary midfield cover on the bench. Ruan Pienaar will provide backup for scrum-half and fly-half, while Lwazi Mvovo can come on at either full-back and wing.
First start
For Wales, Scarlets prop Samson Lee, who made his international debut off the bench against Argentina in November, will make his first start in one of two changes to the team.
Flanker Josh Turnbull also comes into the starting pack, having featured among the replacements in the defeat to the Springboks last weekend.
Gatland sees the clash as an opportunity to improve, saying: "We have been really happy with the response from the players during training this week, we have had a good week and we see Saturday as an opportunity to right the wrongs of last weekend.
"We were disappointed with last week's display but we want to finish the season with a big performance and show what we know we are capable of.
"It's a great opportunity for Samson and Josh and they deserve the chance after impressing from the bench last weekend.”
There are three changes in the replacements with Aaron Jarvis, Jake Ball and Dan Baker all coming into the matchday squad.
South Africa: 15 le Roux, 14 Hendricks, 13 Pietersen, 12 Serfontein, 11 Habana, 10 Steyn, 9 du Preez; 1 Mtawarira, 2 B du Plessis, 3 J du Plessis, 4 van der Merwe, 5 Matfield (capt), 6 Louw, 7 Alberts, 8 Vermeulen.
Replacements: 16 Brits, 17 Steenkamp, 18 Oosthuizen, 19 de Jager, 20 Burger, 21 Pienaar, 22 Olivier, 23 Mvovo.
Wales: 15 Williams, 14 Cuthbert, 13 J Davies, 12 Roberts, 11 North, 10 Biggar, 9 Phillips; 1 Jenkins, 2 Owens, 3 Lee, 4 Charteris, 5 Wyn-Jones (capt), 6 Lydiate, 7 Turnbull, 8 Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Rees, 17 James, 18 Jarvis, 19 Ball, 20 Baker, 21 G Davies, 22 Hook, 23 Morgan.
Watch South Africa v Wales live on Sky Sports 1HD at 2pm on Saturday.