Wales name team for Nations Championship match against South Africa

Head coach Steve Tandy has announced the team that will play South Africa in Durban in round three of the Nations Championship

There are six changes to the starting XV from round two.

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 fly half with Tomos Williams at scrum half. Ben Thomas, named at inside centre, makes his first appearance in the Nations Championship. Max Llewellyn partners 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 the back row cover. Reuben Morgan-Williams and Joe Hawkins are the replacement backs.

Tandy said: 

“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. Some boys deserve an opportunity and it’s a chance to freshen up the team.

“South Africa are world champions. They have loads of depth. 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.”

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15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 18 caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears | Bryste – 42 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby | Caerloyw – 12 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 18 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 72 caps)
10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys | Gweilch – 12 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Saracens | Saraseniaid – 74 caps)
1. Rhys Carre (Saracens | Saraseniaid – 30 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Captain, Gloucester Rugby | Caerloyw – 33 caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (Dragons | Dreigiau – 59 caps)
4. Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 9 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Montpellier – 67 caps)
6. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 17 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Gloucester Rugby | Caerloyw – 26 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Leicester Tigers | Caerlŷr – 69 caps)

Replacements
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 50 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Sale Sharks – 65 caps)
18. Ben Warren (Ospreys | Gweilch – 2 caps)
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby | Caerloyw – 8 caps)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers | Caerlŷr – 29 caps)
21. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 23 caps)
22. Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys | Gweilch – 2 caps)
23. Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 12 caps)