South Africa v Wales: Warren Gatland aims to tame Springboks

Wales and South Africa have been affected in this fixture by injuries and unavailability with the game being played outside World Rugby’s international window.

Experimental and inexperienced is a way to describe the Wales selection.

Almost everywhere you look Wales are trying things for the first time. Problem is it is against the double world champions.

Some issues have been forced. Flanker Jac Morgan is the latest injury blow after being ruled out of the summer with a hamstring problem, joining the likes of Taulupe Faletau, Adam Beard, Teddy Williams, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe on the sidelines with Josh Adams, Will Rowlands and Ryan Elias rested for the summer programme.

Prop Henry Thomas was a late withdrawal against South Africa with a foot injury but still hopes to make the tour.

Six Nations skipper Dafydd Jenkins is among seven English-based players – along with Christ Tshiunza, Nick Tompkins, Tommy Reffell, Dillon Lewis, Archie Griffin and Josh Hathaway – ineligible for the game.

Lake leads the side while James Botham fills the flanker role and lock Matthew Screech makes a first Test start.

Cardiff scrum-half Ellis Bevan is handed a Test debut, with three potential new caps in Eddie James, James Ratti and Jacob Beetham on the bench.

Cardiff full-back Beetham will cover fly-half Sam Costelow despite never starting a professional game at 10.

It is not the only first with Mason Grady starting at inside-centre for the first time in his senior career in a new-look midfield partnership with Owen Watkin.

Liam Williams makes a first Wales appearance since the World Cup after being named on the wing with Cameron Winnett staying at full-back.

South Africa are without the Bulls contingent, while Cheslin Kolbe, Damien Willemse and Lukhanyo Am are injured.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus is still able to select 10 players from the squad that beat New Zealand in the World Cup final in October 2023.

New captain Pieter-Steph du Toit, Etzebeth and scrum-half Faf de Klerk are involved, while prop Vincent Koch wins his 50th cap.

With France-based double World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi unavailable, flanker Du Toit leads the side and will be hoping for better luck after overseeing South Africa’s narrow defeat against Wales in Washington in 2018.

The youth is provided by wing Edwill van der Merwe and fly-half Jordan Hendrikse who make their Test debuts, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ben-Jason Dixon could make first starts off the bench.