Reigning world champions South Africa have made three changes to their starting XV for their autumn series kick-off fixture against Wales on Saturday.
The Springboks have had a month off since they defeated New Zealand 31-29 in their final game of the Rugby Championship, which temporarily moved them back to the top of the World Rugby rankings.
Jesse Kriel will take Sbu Nkosi's spot on the right wing to face Wales, while Herschel Jantjies and Damian Willemse have replaced Faf de Klerk and Willie le Roux at scrum-half and full-back, respectively.
The pack remains unchanged for the Springboks, who are hoping to clinch victory at the Principality Stadium for the first time since November 9, 2013.
South Africa pipped Wales 19-16 when they last met in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-finals, having suffered four straight defeats in this fixture prior to that encounter in Japan.
“We selected this squad with an eye on maintaining consistency in selection from the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, but at the same time giving players who have been knocking on the door for a while now an opportunity to play,” Nienaber told reporters on Tuesday.
“Damian and Herschel have featured off the bench a fair bit and this is a fantastic opportunity to give them a chance to start as we look to build our squad depth with an eye on the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“Jesse has also been training hard; he is very experienced and he brings the physicality that will be necessary against Wales."
The Springboks coach described Wales as “a quality outfit," who are set to welcome back a raft of players who were unavailable to feature in Saturday's 54-16 humbling at the hands of the All Blacks.
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Head coach Wayne Pivac was unable to call upon any players based in England's Premiership given the fixture fell just outside World Rugby's November Test window.
But the likes of Northampton Saints fly-half Dan Biggar, Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit and Bath No. 8 Taulupe Faletau are now eligible to play provided they are fit.
The hosts are, however, sweating on the fitness of captain Alun Wyn Jones and back-rower Ross Moriarty, each of whom came off injured in the defeat to New Zealand.
“Wales are a tough side to beat and our track record over here in the last few years is evidence of that,” Nienaber added.
“We also edged them in the Rugby World Cup semi-final, so we know that this is going to be a hard grind of a Test.
“They may have lost against the All Blacks last week but this result was in the absence of a number of key players, so this week will be a completely different proposition."
Former Bulls centre Kriel—who plays for Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan—will be making a rare Test appearance on the wing as a replacement for Nkosi, who is yet to join the squad in Cardiff due to an issue with his passport.
South Africa will look to break their eight-year drought in the Welsh capital before preparing for autumn Tests against Scotland at Murrayfield (November 13) and England at Twickenham (November 20).
South Africa team to face Wales
Damian Willemse; Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Herschel Jantjies; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane; Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager; Siya Kolisi (c), Kwagga Smith, Duane Vermeulen
