Warren Gatland has made five changes to the starting XV from last weekend's loss to Australia. Wales welcome South Africa in the final match of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series. The next time Wales will play is in the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations.
Gloucester Rugby’s Freddie Thomas is named among the replacements and is in line for his Wales debut. Thomas has represented England U18 and U20 sides at age-grade competitions but qualifies for Wales through his Welsh grandparents.
The front row remains unchanged, with Gareth Thomas and Archie Griffin as the starting props. Dewi Lake will once again lead the side as captain and the starting hooker.
The second row sees one change, with Chris Tshiunza moving from the bench to the starting number five shirt, replacing the injured Adam Beard, who has been withdrawn from the squad.
The back row remains intact, with James Botham and Jac Morgan retaining their places as the starting flankers. Taine Plumtree also keeps his spot at the back of the scrum, starting at number eight.
There is one change to the half-back pairing: Sam Costelow replaces Gareth Anscombe at fly-half for his first start of the Autumn Nations Series. He is joined by Ellis Bevan, who starts at scrum-half for the second game in a row.
The ever-present centre pairing of Ben Thomas (inside centre) and Max Llewellyn (outside centre) remains unchanged for the third consecutive match.
The back three have been slightly reshuffled, with newcomer Blair Murray moving to full-back, replacing Cameron Winnett. This change sees Rio Dyer named in the starting XV for his first appearance of this Autumn Nations Series, taking up a spot on the wing. Tom Rogers starts on the other wing after an impressive performance against the Wallabies.
The front-row replacements remain the same: Ryan Elias (hooker), Nicky Smith (prop), who is in line to win his 49th cap, and Keiron Assiratti (prop). New cap Freddie Thomas provides cover for the back five alongside Tommy Reffell.
Gatland has opted for a 5-3 bench split, with Rhodri Williams, Eddie James, and Josh Hathaway named as the back replacements. This will be Hathaway's first involvement in the Autumn Nations Series.
Gatland said: “Last week’s result hurts and we are just as disappointed by it as the fans. Our focus now is on training and preparing well for our final game of this Autumn Nations Series.
“There were good elements that we can definitely build on going into Saturday, but we have to improve our accuracy.
Wales team to face South Africa
15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 2 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 5 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 4 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 6 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 22 caps)
10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 17 caps)
9. Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 35 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 17 caps) captain
3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 5 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 35 caps)
5. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 14 caps)
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 15 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 17 caps)
8. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 6 caps)
Replacements / Eilyddion
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 43 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 48 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 9 caps)
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – uncapped / heb gap)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 22 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 4 caps)
22. Eddie James (Scarlets – 2 caps)
23. Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby – 1 cap)
