Wales team to face South Africa

The Head Coach of Wales, Warren Gatland has named his team to face the World Champions, South Africa in the final match of the 2024 Autumn Series at the Principality Stadium, on Saturday 23 November at 5.40pm (local).

There are five changes from the team that started the match against Australia last Sunday.

Rio Dyer will play his first game in the Autumn Series this year while Tom Rogers will keep his place on the other wing. Moving from the wing to the full back position will be Blair Murray.

Sam Costelow has been chosen to start in the fly ball position for the first time in this year's series.

Following the injury to Adam Beard, Christ Tshiunza will partner Will Rowlands in the second row.

Taine Plumtree has been chosen as an eight with James Botham and Jac Morgan as wing-backs.

There are also two changes on the bench for Wales: Freddie Thomas - who can win his first cap on Saturday - will be an option as a lock. Josh Hathaway, Rhodri Williams and Eddie James will be the substitutes from the point of view of the chasers.

Warren Gatland said: “Last week's result hurt and we are all as disappointed as the fans. We are completely focused on preparing as much as we can for this weekend's challenge and our last game in this year's Autumn Series.

“We did some things well last Sunday and we will build on that this weekend. Having said that – we have to improve our accuracy and be more clinical.

“South Africa are a physical team and a particularly talented team as well. We will need to be brave and uncompromising against the World Champions."

Wales team to face South Africa
15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 2 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 5 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester – 4 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff – 6 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 22 caps)
10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 17 caps)
9. Ellis Bevan (Cardiff – 5 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 35 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 17 caps) captain
3. Archie Griffin (Bath - 5 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 - 35 caps)
5. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter - 14 caps)
6. James Botham (Cardiff - 15 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys - 17 caps)
8. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 6 caps)

Substitutes

16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 43 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester – 48 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff – 9 caps)
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester – uncapped)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester – 22 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 4 caps)
22. Eddie James (Scarlets – 2 caps)
23. Josh Hathaway (Gloucester – 1 cap)