After returning to losing ways after a spirited display against Argentina in San Juan, Wales conclude their summer campaign against South Africa.
It’s a proper litmus test for Steve Tandy’s side’s last challenge of the 2025/26 season, coming up against the back-to-back world champions at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban.
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Either side of a successful outing in Twickenham against the Barbarians, Wales recorded successive Test match victories against Italy and Fiji.
But at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, Tandy’s side was handed a harsh reality check by being defeated 35-21 by Los Pumas, and now find themselves 12th in the World Rugby rankings.
Wales lost 0.29 ranking points in the loss against Argentina, and despite losing to Ireland, Japan jumped above Wales due to being just 0.04 points better.
Tandy’s opponents for Saturday increased their lead at the top of the rankings by 0.02 points over New Zealand, and some may suspect that it may grow with a victory against Wales.
Wales have spent a whole day travelling with a journey of more than 5,000 miles that crossed five time zones to arrive in their third continent in three weeks, and with that Tandy will likely make a number of changes to his starting XV.
Scroll down to see who Ruck Rugby believes will start against the Springboks in Durban
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15. Blair Murray
It was not the brightest of afternoons in San Juan last time out for the Scarlets player, and after not being tested as much aerially against Fiji, Los Pumas did so well.
He never saw much ball in hand, and with a likely restructured Wales backline, Murray should keep his spot because when given space to work, he’s incredibly effective. He may be a fitness concern, but if fit he should play.
14. Ellis Mee
Watching the game back, Ellis Mee was one of Wales’ most effective players in what was a tough day at the office for Wales. He showed his worth wearing the starting jersey again, as he was solid, winning the aerial battle.
Louis Rees-Zammit came off the bench, which head coach Tandy labelled as exciting, but Mee shone from the off despite not seeing much of the ball.
13. Max Llewellyn
After wearing the 13 shirt for three of Wales’ matches last autumn, the Gloucester player should regather the starting jersey from Eddie James. He starts as James should move to inside centre.
Llewellyn did nothing wrong when he came on as a second-half replacement against Argentina, and will likely make more of an impact with the ball in hand.
12. Eddie James
This has been coming for James. For many, seeing the 23-year-old wearing the 12 shirt is exciting, and he’ll likely flourish here after a subpar summer campaign so far for Wales.
The big ball-carrying centre hasn’t made much of an impact in Wales’ attack, as he did in the Six Nations, and with the Rugby World Cup looming, it makes sense to give James a go here.
11. Josh Adams
Like Wales’ mini-revival at the start of the summer campaign, Adams has also been firing for Wales. He’s one of the first names on the team sheet for Tandy.
Against Los Pumas, he defended extremely well in a contest where he couldn’t make any sort of impact following not having enough time to do so in the wide channels. So far in this Nations Championship, he’s been Wales’ best backline player.
He needs to be firing against South Africa, like he said post-match in San Juan, there is no harder test than facing the Springboks.
10. Dan Edwards
Continuously switching your outside-halves, particularly at international level, is unhealthy for a backline. Tandy has already used both Edwards and Sam Costelow in this campaign; both have seemingly struggled.
Wales needs to start building towards the next World Cup, and Tandy now needs to have consistency with selection here. Edwards is perfect here for that; he’s started the most since Tandy has taken over.
With that said, he will need to vastly improve from his outing against Fiji.
9. Kieran Hardy
Tomos Williams for Wales of late has not been firing as much as you would expect from one of Wales’ finest players. Perhaps last timeout playing on the back foot hasn’t helped him, but I feel Hardy from the off for this Welsh side may be better suited.
Against the Barbarians, he shone and linked up well with his Ospreys teammate Edwards, and the pair looked like a dominant force. It’s been a long and draining season for all these players, so why not start Hardy and see what impact Williams makes off the bench?
Like the case is with Rees-Zammit, that is exciting.
1. Rhys Carré
He’s faced his criticism in the past; he fell out of favour with former Wales head coach Warren Gatland, but since returning under Tandy, the loose-head has been decent.
The 28-year-old carries well for his side and gets over the gain line when attacking. He cannot afford to take a backward step at scrum time on Saturday.
He must hold his own in this area. It’s his biggest challenge since returning to the international stage.
2. Ryan Elias
Wales’ captain last weekend, Dewi Lake, was absent from the post-match press conference in San Juan and is very likely to miss out. He limped off after a big hit on replacement tight-head, Francisco Coria Marchetti, from a penalty tap close to his side’s whitewash.
What an opportunity this is for Elias, who made his 50th appearance last timeout and has been in great form for Wales of late. Finds his man at line-out time and is solid defensively.
3. Dillon Lewis
That was more like it from the tight-head against Argentina. He’s Wales’ best option here, but he wasn’t reaching the level required and could have been easily replaced by Ben Warren.
Lewis was a complete nuisance around the breakdown area and was brilliant at scrum time. He simply has to bring that form from last weekend into facing the Springboks.
This could be his last outing for Wales for the foreseeable future, with the likelihood of Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, and Keiron Assiratti all being back available for the autumn.
4. Ben Carter
It was a smart call to replace the 25-year-old early in the second half against Argentina; he remains one of Wales’ marquee players and has been consistently outstanding for his team.
He ensures Wales’ line-out is operating smoothly, and his work rate is immense. Without doubt, he will be needed in his defence against a likely strong South African side.
5. Teddy Williams
Williams mightily impressed off the bench after replacing Carter. He should replace Montpellier’s Adam Beard, who does not offer the carrying threat that Williams imposes.
He adds energy to his side, and when he came on against Argentina, he was hungry for involvement and deserves a starting position.
6. James Botham
Botham quietly went about his business against Argentina, but he was incredibly beneficial to his side. He was a standout from a substandard Wales performance.
His work rate, which will be needed again this weekend, is incredible. Against Los Pumas, he showed his worth in his side’s rugged defence, making 23 tackles and a number of crucial carries.
7. Jac Morgan- C
It’s going to be a welcome return to captaincy for Wales’ top performer this summer. Even when his side loses, the Gloucester player still plays to a high standard and will be greatly needed defensively.
He is hugely effective at the breakdown, and Tandy will not have to think twice about selecting the 26-year-old.
8. Aaron Wainwright
Like Wales’ whole back-row, need there really be any discussion about who starts here against the Springboks? Wainwright, for his high standards, made less of an impact against Los Pumas but even then was still impressive.
Despite having a quieter display, he carried well, and against the Springboks, he will be utilised more effectively in attack to get his side over the gain line.
Like Morgan, the Leicester Tigers back-rower is still one of the first names on Tandy’s team sheet.
Replacements:
16. Evan Lloyd
17. Nicky Smith
18. Ben Warren
19. Taine Plumtree
20. Kane James
21. Tomos Williams
22. Sam Costelow
23. Louis Rees-Zammit
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