Wales coach Steve Tandy has added four new players to his squad for the upcoming match against South Africa in Cardiff, as 13 players depart due to the fixture falling outside the international window. The Springboks, also depleted, aim for a clean sweep on their European tour. This follows Wales' recent mixed results in the autumn series.
The Welsh rugby team faces a reshuffled lineup for their final Nations Series match against the Springboks on Saturday in Cardiff. Coach Steve Tandy announced the inclusion of four new players after releasing 13 from the squad, a move necessitated by the game occurring outside the official international window. Key absences include winger Louis Rees-Zammit, lock Dafydd Jenkins, and prop Rhys Carre, who have returned to their clubs. Additionally, winger Josh Adams remains sidelined due to a suspension from a red card against Japan, while regular captain Jac Morgan continues to recover from injury.
Tandy expressed optimism about the challenge. “We’re excited for our final match of the Nations Series and looking to further build on our performance this weekend,” he said. Wales' autumn campaign has been inconsistent: they secured a victory over Japan two weeks ago but endured heavy losses to Argentina and New Zealand.
On the other side, South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed a significantly reduced traveling party, with only 24 or 25 players available for the tour's concluding fixture. The Springboks recently defeated Ireland 24-13 in Dublin, positioning them to achieve a perfect record across their five-game European outing.
The Welsh squad now features forwards such as Keiron Assiratti, Ben Carter, and Dewi Lake, alongside backs including Rio Dyer, Callum Sheedy, and Jacob Beetham. This matchup highlights the logistical challenges of off-window internationals for both teams.