Wales captain Dewi Lake fit to face South Africa after injury scare

The hooker was forced off during last weekend’s 35-21 defeat to Argentina in San Juan and had been a doubt for the meeting with the reigning world champions. However, after coming through two training sessions, Lake has been named in the starting XV by head coach Steve Tandy.

The 27-year-old remains the only Wales player to have started every Test match under Tandy and will continue to play a key role as the team look to finish the season on a high.

“He’s a tough man and been brilliant in the way he’s led the team,” said Tandy.

“His performances have been excellent as well and he is at the forefront of everything we do. We’re pleased with how he’s come through for it.”

Wales have made six changes from the side that suffered defeat against Argentina, with Louis Rees-Zammit, Ben Thomas, Max Llewellyn, Dan Edwards, Teddy Williams and Alex Mann all coming into the starting line-up.

Joe Hawkins and James Botham move to the replacements bench, which features six forwards, while Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell returns to the matchday squad for the first time during the tournament.

Dragons captain Ben Carter has been ruled out after suffering an ankle injury in training on Wednesday, while Taine Plumtree is also unavailable after picking up a knock. Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas has been drafted into the squad after only arriving in South Africa a few days ago as injury cover.

Dragons hooker Elliot Dee had travelled to provide cover for Lake, but the Wales captain’s recovery means he retains his place in the side.

Fresh look in the Wales midfield

There will be a new-look centre partnership in Durban, with Cardiff’s Ben Thomas lining up alongside Max Llewellyn.

Scarlets duo Ellis Mee and Sam Costelow started against Argentina after Rees-Zammit and Edwards were left out of the starting side, but neither feature in the matchday squad to face the Springboks.

Eddie James misses out, while Hawkins drops to the bench where he provides cover across the backline, including fly-half.

Tandy believes the new midfield pairing deserves its opportunity.

“It’s a bit of freshness in the centres,” he said.

“The combination of Joe (Hawkins) and Eddie (James) has been excellent for us, but we feel Max and Ben deserve an opportunity.

“Max did well for us in the autumn but unfortunately got injured, and Ben has responded well since being left out from the England game.”

Reuben Morgan-Williams also comes into the replacements after replacing Ospreys team-mate Kieran Hardy.

Teddy Williams returns after injury lay-off

Alex Mann returns to the blindside flanker role after missing the defeat against Argentina, joining Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright in the back row.

Tommy Reffell is also set to make his first international appearance in a year after being overlooked during Wales’ previous two campaigns.

“We feel we’ve got depth in the back row,” said Tandy.

“Manny [Alex Mann] was excellent against Fiji, but he hadn’t played a lot of minutes so now we’ve got a good opportunity to freshen up the pack.”

In the second row, Teddy Williams makes his first Test start for 12 months after recovering from a serious leg injury suffered earlier in the season.

The Cardiff forward impressed after coming off the bench against Argentina and will now partner Adam Beard against South Africa.

“It’s brilliant for Teddy, how hard he’s worked after a horrific injury and the way he has come back,” said Tandy.

“He had a real impact when he came off the bench last weekend, so it’s pleasing and well-deserved.”

With Carter unavailable and Dafydd Jenkins missing the summer tour following shoulder surgery, Wales head into the Springboks clash without the second-row partnership that helped them finish the Six Nations campaign.

Carter had forced his way into the starting side for the final three matches of the tournament and continued his involvement during the uncapped fixture against the Barbarians and Nations Championship matches against Fiji and Argentina.

Freddie Thomas now faces a huge challenge after being called into the squad at short notice.

“It’s a baptism of fire for Freddie,” said Tandy.

“He was unlucky not to be in the original squad. He’s come in, trained well and it’s a great opportunity for him on the weekend.”

Wales ready for toughest test against world champions

The fixture represents Wales’ final match of the season and comes against a South Africa side that defeated them 73-0 at Principality Stadium in November 2025.

Wales have won three and lost eight of their 11 Tests during Tandy’s first season in charge, with one victory and one defeat so far in the Nations Championship.

Despite the challenge ahead, Tandy believes facing the Springboks provides the perfect opportunity for his side to measure themselves against the best.

“South Africa are world champions and have loads of depth,” he said.

“For us, it’s about putting our game out there. We want to see a real physical edge.

“We’re going up against probably the most physical team in the world.

“It’s a great opportunity to test ourselves against the best team in the world.”

South Africa team news

South Africa will be captained by Pieter-Steph du Toit as they name a strong side for the meeting with Wales.

The Springboks line-up includes the likes of Malcolm Marx, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe, while Grant Williams and Morne van den Berg provide attacking options in the backline.

South Africa: Fassi; Williams, Kriel, de Allende, Arendse; Moyo, Reinach; Steenekamp, Marx, Sadie, C Wiese, van Heerden, de Villiers, PS du Toit (capt), J Wiese.

Replacements: Venter, Wessels, Louw, Dixon, van Staden, Jantjies, Libbok, Willemse.

Wales team news

Wales: Murray; Rees-Zammit, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Adams; Edwards, Tomos Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), D Lewis, Teddy Williams, Beard, Mann, J Morgan, Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, N Smith, Warren, F Thomas, Reffell, Botham, Morgan-Williams, Hawkins.