Pivac bench B&I Lions skipper for Bok opener
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Wayne Pivac has named the Wales team to play South Africa in the first match of a three-Test series at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, on Saturday.
Tommy Reffell will win his first senior Wales cap having been selected at openside flank.
The former Under-18 and Under-20 captain will become the 1,178th Welsh international when he takes to the pitch on Saturday.
Dan Lydiate starts at blindside flank, his first international appearance since the match against Ireland in the 2021 Six Nations.
Taulupe Faletau, No.8) completes the back row.
George North also features for the first time since the 2021 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 scrumhalf, his sixth start in a Wales jersey, with captain Dan Biggar winning his 101st cap at flyhalf.
Hooker Ryan Elias makes his ninth outing in a Wales XV this season.
He is joined in the front row by Gareth Thomas, loosehead prop) and Dillon Lewis, tighthead prop).
Will Rowlands and Adam Beard are selected to start in the second row for the sixth time together – with British and Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones on the replacement bench.
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 matchday 23 for the first time this year.
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 earlier this month.
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“Tommy Reffell is a player we’ve been watching for some time now,” Pivac said.
“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 in November, 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.”
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 World Cup.
“This is our first tour away as a group so it’s fantastic for us,” Pivac said of the sell-out crowd.
“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.”
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar (captain), 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.
Date: Saturday, July 2
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.05, 16.05 UK & Ireland time; 15.05 GMT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli, Georgia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner, Australia), Andrew Piardi, Italy)
TMO: Joy Neville, Ireland)
