Senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland has named four Blue and Blacks in the Wales squad to face South Africa in the third and final match of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series at Principality Stadium on Saturday 23 November (KO 17.40h GMT, live on TNT Sports and S4C).
James Botham, Ellis Bevan and Ben Thomas are named in the starting XV, with Keiron Assiratti on the bench.
Overall, there are five changes to the starting XV from last weekend’s match against Australia.
Rio Dyer makes his first appearance of this Autumn Nations Series having being named on the wing. Blair Murray moves to full back with Tom Rogers completing the back three.
Sam Costelow comes in at fly half for his first start this November.
Christ Tshiunza is named in the second row alongside Will Rowlands following injury to Adam Beard.
Taine Plumtree starts at No. 8 with James Botham at blind-side flanker and Jac Morgan at open-side.
There are two changes among the Wales replacements: Freddie Thomas, who joins the bench as second row cover, is in line to win his first cap for Wales on Saturday. Josh Hathaway joins Rhodri Williams and Eddie James as the back line cover.
Gatland said: “Last week’s result hurts and we are just as disappointed by it as the fans. Our focus now is on training and preparing well for our final game of this Autumn Nations Series.
“There were good elements that we can definitely build on going into Saturday but we have to improve our accuracy.
“We know what a quality side South Africa are and the physicality they bring. This week we need to show real courage and front up against the World Champions.”
Wales team to face South Africa:
15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 2 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 5 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 4 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 6 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 22 caps)
10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 17 caps)
9. Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 5 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 35 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys / Gweilch – 17 caps) captain / capten
3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby / Caerfaddon – 5 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 35 caps)
5. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 14 caps)
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 15 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys / Gweilch – 17 caps)
8. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 6 caps)
Replacements / Eilyddion
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 43 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 48 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 9 caps)
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – uncapped / heb gap)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 22 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons / Dreigiau – 4 caps)
22. Eddie James (Scarlets – 2 caps)
23. Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 1 cap)