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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Matthew Southcombe

Wales team news v South Africa as Alex Cuthbert ousts Josh Adams and Sam Wainwright to make debut

Wales have made just one change to the starting XV for the second Test against South Africa, with Alex Cuthbert replacing Josh Adams on the wing.

Last week's game came too early for the Ospreys winger, who had been battling a back niggle. Adams started the 32-29 defeat at Loftus Versfeld but looked a little off the pace himself, playing his first game in three months after suffering a knee injury.

Another notable change sees Sam Wainwright, who has not started a game of professional rugby, come onto the bench for the injured Tomas Francis.

What do you think of the team? Have your say in the comments below and chat to rugby writers Matthew Southcombe and Ben James throughout the day

Outside of the one change, Pivac has plumped for exactly the same run-on side that got agonisingly close to history in Pretoria last time out. It means Liam Williams and Louis Rees-Zammit, who scored two tries and picked up a yellow card last weekend, join Cuthbert in the back three.

The midfield duo of George North and Nick Tompkins are afforded some much needed consistency of selection as they look to form a partnership that could carry through until next year's Rugby World Cup. Skipper Dan Biggar is joined once again by Kieran Hardy at half-back.

In the back-row, Tommy Reffell gets the opportunity to go again after a sublime debut in hostile circumstances, with the experienced duo of Taulupe Faletau and Dan Lydiate going again.

The front five has also been retained, with Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias and Dillon Lewis having another crack at the Boks, after handling their first choice trio admirably last time out. Will Rowlands, Wales' standout performer at Loftus, goes again with Adam Beard, meaning Alun Wyn Jones is on the bench for a second week running.

There are three changes on the bench, where Wyn Jones, who was described as a week short of fitness seven days ago, comes in for Rhys Carre and the uncapped Wainwright makes his debut after Francis was sent home following a concussion he suffered in the first Test.

Despite Wainwright's limited experience, forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys has insisted he is confident the 24-year-old can handle what is about to come his way. The other change sees Adams take the place of Owen Watkin in the No.23 jersey.

"Alex Cuthbert has been training really well. He’s six foot four, good in the air and runs all day. I think there will be plenty of aerial battles," said Wales boss Pivac.

"Sam Wainwright has been very excited to join us. From day one he’s been training really well. I know he’s over the moon at his selection in the match day 23 and his family are over here so he’s looking forward to a big day.

"It was a great atmosphere last week and we’re expecting more of the same from the crowd in Bloemfontein this Saturday."

South Africa, meanwhile, have made 14 changes to their starting side, with Eben Etzebeth the only survivor, as head coach Jacques Nienaber experiments with his squad ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup. There are six uncapped players in the hosts' 23, with the captaincy being passed to fly-half Handre Pollard.

Wales: Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Alex Cuthbert; Dan Biggar (C), Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Dillon Lewis; Will Rowlands, Adam Beard; Dan Lydiate, Tommy Reffell, Taulupe Faletau.

Reps: Dewi Lake, Wyn Jones, Sam Wainwright, Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Navidi, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Josh Adams.

South Africa: Warrick Gelant; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi; Handre Pollard (C), Jaden Hendrickse; Thomas du Toit, Joseph Dweba, Trevor Nyakane; Eben Etzebeth, Marvin Orie; Marcel Coetzee, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Evan Roos.

Reps: Malcolm Marx, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Vincent Koch, Ruan Nortje, Rynhardt Elstadt, Deon Fourie, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.

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