Wales get a boost as Tandy makes six changes for Bok Test
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Steve Tandy has revealed his team to play South Africa at Kings Park in Round Three of the Nations Championship.
The team received a boost with captain Dewi Lake selected to start despite struggling with a groin injury this week.
In total, there are six changes to the starting XV from the Round Two defeat to Argentina.
Teddy Williams makes his first start of the Nations Championship alongside Adam Beard in the second row.
In the back row, Alex Mann is named at blindside flanker, with Jac Morgan at openside flanker and Aaron Wainwright at No.8.
Dan Edwards is selected at flyhalf with Tomos Williams at scrumhalf. Ben Thomas, named at inside centre, makes his first appearance in the Nations Championship.
Max Llewellyn partners with Thomas in the midfield.
Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams start on the wings, and Blair Murray continues at fullback.
There is a six-two split on the Wales bench. Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith and Ben Warren are the front row replacements.
Teddy Williams is covering the second row, with Tommy Reffell and James Botham covering the back row. Reuben Morgan-Williams and Joe Hawkins are the replacement backs.
“We’ve made some changes to the starting XV. It’s coming to the end of the season; we’ve had a big bit of travel,” said Tandy.
“Some boys deserve an opportunity, and it’s a chance to freshen up the team.
“For us, it’s about putting our game out there. We want to see a real physical edge.
“We’re going up against probably the most physical team in the world. So we know we’re going to have to really step up the physicality.
“It’s a great opportunity to test ourselves against the best team in the world.
Wales: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Teddy Williams, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Rhys Carre.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 James Botham, 22 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 23 Joe Hawkins.
Date: Saturday, July 18
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.40 SAST (16.40 BST; 15.40 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)
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