Wayne Pivac has welcomed a host of top-tier talent back into his Wales team for Saturday's Test against South Africa, making six changes to the team that fell 54-16 to New Zealand last weekend.
Wales' Premiership -based players were ineligible to feature in that clash as it fell outside the November Test window, but the likes of Dan Biggar, Louis Rees-Zammit and Nick Tompkins will each start against the Springboks.
One of the most significant changes will see Ellis Jenkins replace the injured Ross Moriarty at blindside flanker, with the injury-ravaged Cardiff star set to earn his first cap in just shy of three years.
Northampton Saints fly-half Biggar will be making his 93rd Wales appearance, meanwhile, after he started all three Lions Tests against South Africa over the summer.
He'll partner scrum-half Tomos Williams, while Saracens centre Tompkins replaces Johnny Williams in midfield and Johnny McNicholl keeps his place at full-back.
“South Africa coming to town, as world champions, offers a different challenge to New Zealand. They’ve got a massive forward pack, they’re big across the park really, and they bring a huge aerial threat so it’s going to be a different challenge,” said head coach Pivac on Thursday.
“It’s a big test match and we need to get what we think is the best side out there. We’re looking forward to having this side out there on the weekend and it’ll be really interesting to see how we go."
Wales were dealt a hammer blow this after discovering captain Alun Wyn Jones will miss the rest of the autumn internationals, along with back-rowers Moriarty and Taulupe Faletau.
Jones and Moriarty in particular are doubts to make it back in time for the 2022 Six Nations as they prepare to undergo shoulder surgeries.
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It was only 19 minutes into the clash against New Zealand—where Jones became the most capped player of all time in his 149th Wales outing—that the Wales captain was forced to withdraw.
Dragons lock Will Rowlands has taken his spot alongside Adam Beard in the second row, while centre Jonathan Davies will take over captaincy duties in Jones' absence.
There's big news on the bench as well, with full-back Liam Williams among the replacements after having his appendix removed a month ago.
Prop WillGriff John is one of two players in line for his Wales debut as a substitute alongside South Africa-born Ulster hooker Bradley Roberts, with Ken Owens yet to pass fit following a back complaint.
South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber made just three changes to the XV that defeated New Zealand 31-29 at the start of October, with the Springboks recently enjoying a week-long training camp in France.
The reigning world champions will deploy Jesse Kriel as a makeshift winger after Sbu Nkosi couldn't apply for a visa to travel because he didn't have enough free pages in his passport.
Herschel Jantjies will replace Faf de Klerk at scrum-half, while the other Springboks change sees Damian Willemse step in at full-back for the rested Willie le Roux.
Wales team
Johnny McNicholl; Louis Rees-Zammit, Jonathan Davies, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Will Rowlands; Ellis Jenkins, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright
South Africa team
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
