By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Cardiff's uncapped scrum half Ellis Bevan has been named in Wales's starting lineup against South Africa, with Eddie James, James Ratti, and Jacob Beetham in line for their first caps from the bench. Ratti, called up on Tuesday to cover for Wales's second row injury crisis, joins a squad impacted by the unavailability of Cory Hill. Ben Carter and Matthew Screech, the Dragons duo, will start as locks, while new Scarlets signing Henry Thomas is set to play at tight head prop.
James Botham, called up on Monday, will start in the back row alongside Taine Plumtree and Aaron Wainwright. Liam Williams, who missed the Six Nations due to his contract with Japanese club Kubota Spears, returns on the wing. The midfield partnership will feature Owen Watkin and Mason Grady, with Grady at inside centre. Beetham is set to cover fly half Sam Costelow from the bench, with Ben Thomas not included in the squad.
Wales co captains Morgan and Dewi Lake missed the Six Nations due to injuries, with Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins stepping in as captain. Wales's England based players, including Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Tommy Reffell, and others, are unavailable for the match against South Africa as it falls outside the World Rugby international window.
Wales is currently facing a severe lock crisis, with Jenkins and Tshiunza ineligible, Will Rowlands rested, Hill, Adam Beard, Teddy Williams, and Rhys Davies injured, and Seb Davies suspended. This will be Screech's first start, having previously made a replacement appearance against Argentina in 2021. Wales has lost their last six internationals and finished bottom of the Six Nations for the first time in 20 years. They are scheduled to tour Australia in July, with two Tests against the Wallabies and a match against Queensland Reds.
The game against South Africa, played at Twickenham, will see flanker Pieter Steph du Toit captaining the Springboks in the absence of Siya Kolisi. South Africa is also without their Europe based players and the Bulls players due to the URC final. Uncapped players Jordan Hendrikse and Edwill van der Merwe will start, with Ben Jason Dixon and Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu on the bench. Vincent Koch is set to win his 50th cap, and Malcolm Marx returns from a knee injury. Despite several injuries, 10 players from the World Cup final squad are included, with five starting in the same positions as in the final victory against New Zealand.
South Africa lineup
Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Faf de Klerk, Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Pieter Steph du Toit , Evan Roos.
Replacements
Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Ben Jason Dixon, Grant Williams, Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu, Damian de Allende.
Wales lineup
Cameron Winnett, Liam Williams, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer; Sam Costelow, Ellis Bevan; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Henry Thomas, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter, Taine Plumtree, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements
Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Keiron Assiratti, James Ratti, Mackenzie Martin, Gareth Davies, Eddie James, Jacob Beetham.
