After a record-equalling 54-16 home defeat to New Zealand, what will Wales coach Wayne Pivac do now in terms of his team selection to face South Africa next week?
He will have a number of additional players available to him, but there are also a couple of fresh injuries in the camp.
So here’s our best guess of what the Welsh team will be against the world champion Springboks.
15. Liam Williams
Sanjay hasn’t played since the Lions tour having undergone surgery to remove his appendix.
But he’s been back in full training and he’s very much in contention again.
Johnny McNicholl had some good moments in attack and under the high ball against the Kiwis, but the odds would probably be on Williams coming in at 15 despite his lack of recent rugby, given his all-round game.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
Having been unable to face New Zealand through playing in England, the Gloucester wing comes into camp and more than likely into the side.
Owen Lane didn’t let himself down, with an excellent take of his own up and under and a strong run out of defence that drew a Beauden Barrett knock-on which should perhaps have seen a yellow card brandished.
So he will have more Tests ahead, but you would expect Wales to turn to the Rees-Zammit X-Factor.
13. Jonathan Davies
Nick Tompkins is another England-based player who becomes available and has been going well for Saracens, while he can occupy either centre spot.
So he’s an option at 13, while a real bold move would be to go with Owen Lane in the position where he played his age-grade rugby,
But Pivac may well stick with the vast experience of stand-in skipper Davies, particularly given the physical threat the Springboks will pose in midfield.
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12. Johnny Williams
There's a strong case to be made for Scott Williams getting a run at 12 given his excellent early season form, his understanding with Jonathan Davies and the fact he will have had a week longer in camp following his call-up.
He probably heads the list of options if there is to be a change, with Willis Halaholo not completing his post-Covid isolation period until a couple of days before the game, Nick Tompkins having not been on board so far and Ben Thomas finding his feet on the international stage.
But the solid defence of Saturday's try scorer Johnny Williams may just edge it in his favour, although it's a tricky one to call.
11. Josh Adams
Hardly had any opportunities in space, but he worked hard and looked to get involved whenever he could against New Zealand.
A nailed down selection to face South Africa, too.
10. Rhys Priestland
Pivac said he thought Priestland played exceptionally when he came on against the All Blacks and he certainly didn’t look like someone who had been away from the international stage for four.
He brought tactical control and his grubber kick for Johnny Williams’ try was beautifully weighted.
So he looks to have gone ahead of Gareth Anscombe in the pecking order and may well be rewarded with the No 10 jersey despite Dan Biggar arriving from Northampton.
9. Tomos Williams
After the revolving door policy at scrum-half over the last year or so, it probably is time for someone to have a run in the position.
So one would expect Williams to continue to offer his quick pass and quick feet, with Gareth Jenkins and Kieran Hardy vying for the bench berth.
1. Wyn Jones
Was pinged at one scrum, but put in a huge amount of work, making no fewer than ten 10 tackles in the opening 25 minutes.
Looks a pretty certain starter again on the loosehead, enabling him to resume his battle with the Springboks after figuring in the third Lions Test.
2. Ken Owens
Fingers will be firmly crossed over the state of The Sheriff’s back because Wales badly need him on board against the ‘Boks.
The lineout malfunctioned at key moments on Saturday, resulting in key attacking positions being wasted, and Owens’ seasoned know-how is needed to sort things out there.
If the fitness issue which forced his withdrawal from the side persists, what then? Does Ryan Elias stay after his erratic darts, does Kirby Myhill earn promotion from the bench or might there even be a wild card start for abrasive ball-carrier Bradley Roberts against the land of his birth?
3. Tomas Francis
One of the other selections that looks something of a foregone conclusion with the hard-grafting Ospreys tighthead set to win his 59th cap next weekend.
4. Adam Beard
Won the lineout that provided the platform for Wales’ try and showed off his link work at times.
His maul defence will be important against the ‘Boks, with that telescopic reach of his coming in very handy.
5. Alun Wyn Jones (capt)
When he left the field after hurting his shoulder in tackling Jordie Barrett, one feared that was him gone for the rest of the campaign.
But we’ve thought that before this year, haven’t we? After the match, Pivac said the skipper was not in pain or discomfort and certainly wasn’t ruling him out of winning his 150th cap against the ‘Boks.
We will clearly have to wait on the results of a scan - with Will Rowlands the man to start if required - but you know better than to write off AWJ.
6. Ellis Jenkins
Ross Moriarty looks to be facing a lengthy lay-off with a shoulder joint injury, so who starts at 6?
With Wainwright set to continue at No 8, there isn’t anyone else who you would class as a natural seasoned blindside in the squad.
So you are looking at Cardiff lock Seb Davies, opensides Ellis Jenkins and Thomas Young or uncapped youngster Christ Tshiunza, with Jenkins’ versatility probably getting him the nod provided he is fully over his rib cartilage injury.
He actually started at No 6 in the game against South Africa where he sustained his horrendous knee injury three years ago.
It would certainly make for an ultra mobile, dynamic and exciting back row unit.
7. Taine Basham
It’s a pretty fair bet that the Dragons youngster will retain the openside berth with Pivac having singled him out as Wales’ Man of the Match.
Given it was his first Test start and he was up against the All Blacks, it was some performance from the Talywain product who will turn 22 on Tuesday.
Put in some great work at the breakdown and carried with real purpose and intent, punching above his weight. Has a big future ahead of him.
8. Aaron Wainwright
With Taulupe Faletau yet to resume training after picking up an ankle injury which has kept him out since the Lions tour, there won’t be a change here.
And even if Faletau was available, Wainwright would deserve to keep his place at the base of the scrum.
His bold running with ball in hand and his defensive endeavour made him one of the other plusses from the day, confirming Pivac’s conviction that No 8 is his best position.
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