Wales coach Steve Tandy has expressed confidence in the largely untested side selected to face back-to-back world champions South Africa this weekend at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, despite the difficult circumstances.1
Tandy was forced to select a heavily depleted squad, as 13 squad members returned to their clubs because Saturday’s fixture falls outside of the official international Test window.
Low on Caps, High on Faith
The resulting starting XV possesses just 267 caps combined, with five players currently in single figures. The replacement front row has a daunting total of only two caps between the three players—a major concern when facing the Springboks, a team renowned for its scrummaging prowess and physicality.
No 8 Aaron Wainwright, back from injury, is the most experienced player with 61 caps.
“It’s great opportunity for the boys,” Tandy insisted, viewing the challenge as a chance to assess their depth. “It’s never perfect because some of the boys haven’t played for a period of time… but it’s just a great opportunity to see where we’re at.”
The Ultimate Physical Test
Tandy acknowledged the monumental task ahead, describing South Africa, who have already thrashed Japan and defeated France, Italy, and Ireland this autumn, as the “ultimate test of physicality.”
He praised the Springboks’ depth: “They’re stacked really deep. They’ve probably got two or three teams they can put up.”
Despite the inexperience of his team, the coach believes the players will rise to the occasion, emphasizing the critical need for hands-on experience before the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
“You can’t get experience unless you go and do it,” Tandy said. “They’re going to experience something that they learn… How do we get better individually and as a group?”
🏉 Match Details
| Category | Information |
| Date | Saturday, 29 November |
| Venue | Principality Stadium, Cardiff |
| Kick-off | 17:10 (SA time) |
| Referee | Luc Ramos (France) |
Wales XV (Caps in brackets): Murray, Mee, Roberts, Hawkins, Dyer, Edwards, Hardy; Wainwright (61), Mann, Plumtree, Davies, Carter, Assiratti, Lake, Thomas. Replacements: Coghlan, Southworth, Coleman, Ratti, Morse, Morgan-Williams, Sheedy, Ben Thomas
