In probably the most intriguing matchup of the weekend, Wales host South Africa in Cardiff to kick off both sides’ November programmes. Will a Lions hangover affect Warren Gatland’s side?
WALES vs SOUTH AFRICA
Saturday, November 9, 17:30 GMT, Cardiff
The Lions supremo returns to head up his Wales side and has selected ten of his tourists to start against the Springboks with another on the bench. Sam Warburton regains the captaincy and Rhys Priestland has somewhat surprisingly been given the nod at flyhalf after suffering a run of terrible form and being left out of the Six Nations. Dan Bigger, the pick of most pundits, has not even been included in the reserves, with James Hook instead named to cover flyhalf and fullback.
Luke Charteris returns from the knee injury that kept him out of Lions contention but starts from the bench as Bradley Davies, captain of the disastrous Japan tour, gets the first shot at the no4 jersey. Scott Williams fills in for injured Jamie Roberts at centre, and Liam Williams has been elevated from the reserves to play on the wing in place of the unfortunate Eli Walker. Leigh Halfpenny will have to be at his metronomic best with the boot if Wales are to win this one.
Heyneke Meyer has kept the faith with the core of his Rugby Championship squad but has made a few tweaks. Frans Malherbe makes his debut at tighthead prop in place of injured Jannie du Plessis, and Flip van der Merwe curiously starts at lock despite the presence of Bakkies Botha and tyro Pieter-Steph du Toit in the squad. du Toit should win his first cap at some point as he finds himself on the bench.
The world class centre partnership of captain Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie has been restored, with J.J. Engelbrecht making way and Jan Serfontein the unfortunate one to miss out altogether. J.P. Pietersen is back in action on the wing and Patrick Lambie a surprise pick at fullback, meaning in-form Willie le Roux is consigned to a reserves spot. Fourie du Preez, one of eight foreign-based players in the match day squad, continues at scrumhalf.
There are few, if any, greater sporting atmospheres than a packed house at Millenium Stadium, and with the roof closed this should be a spectacular occasion. The returning Lions players will be on a high following victory in Australia, but will their bodies be up to the task? Though losing to the All Blacks, the Springboks looked impressive in the Championship, particularly with du Preez back running the show, and the additions of Fourie and Pietersen will add potency to the backline. Expect an absolute cracker with the Boks just creeping away and earning a 6 point victory.
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)
Assistants: George Clancy (IRFU) & Marius Mitrea (FIR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
