Lloyd misses cut for Springboks finale

Wednesday, 26 November 2025 14:47

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

WRU / Huw Evans Picture Agency

Evan Lloyd has missed out on a place in the Wales side to face world champions South Africa in their autumn finale.

The Penarth-born hooker was part of a revised 30-man squad named by Steve Tandy with the game falling outside of World Rugby's official international window.

But Lloyd didn't make the cut - with the head coach making eight changes from the starting XV beaten by New Zealand in Cardiff.

Notably, Tom Rogers, who became the first Welshman to score a hattrick against the All Blacks, is out injured due to a hamstring injury.

But Dragons number eight Aaron Wainwright, who was a late withdrawal from the 52-26 defeat, has returned after he recovered from a hip injury.

Louis Rees-Zammit has returned to Bristol Bears, having scored two tries against Japan and New Zealand, which means late call-up Ellis Mee and Rio Dyer are called up to the wings.

Ben Carter and Rhys Davies make their first autumn appearances in the second row, while  Joe Roberts joins Joe Hawkins in the midfield.

Uncapped Cardiff prop forward Danny Southworth could make his Wales debut after being named on the replacements bench.

Tandy said: "What we want to see from the boys [on Saturday] is the same type of effort and performance as we did last weekend."

"I think we showed a lot of attacking intent, a lot of toughness in the way we went about lots of the defensive effort as well, to give the supporters something to shout about."

"The fans on the weekend were electric. I think the boys really responded to how good the support was."

"When you see the charge, in and around when we score, but also when we’re going deep into the defensive set, when they’re chanting ‘Wales’, it’s just something that’s unbelievable and I’d like to thank them for all the support they’ve given the boys."

"We’re going into the last game, which we’re all excited about. The players love the fact of playing at Principality Stadium in front of the best support in the world."

Evan Lloyd last played for Wales in their 22-15 defeat to Italy during the Six Nations in February- in what proved to be Warren Gatland's final game as head coach.

So far this season, he's made only two first team appearances for Cardiff, scoring two tries in their opening URC win over Lions in September.

Wales XV to face South Africa: Blair Murray; Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (captain), Keiron Assiratti, Ben Carter, Rhys Davies, Taine Plumtree, Alex Mann, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Danny Southworth, Christian Coleman, James Ratti, Morgan Morse, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Callum Sheedy, Ben Thomas.

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