Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Gatland's Wales rookies aim to tame Springboks

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Friday, 21 June 2024 13:05

Wales and South Africa have been affected in this fixture by injuries and unavailability with the game being played outside World Rugby's international window.

Experimental and inexperienced is a way to describe the Wales selection.

Almost everywhere you look Wales are trying things for the first time. The problem is they are doing so against the double world champions.

Some issues have been forced. Flanker Jac Morgan is the latest injury blow after being ruled out of the summer with a hamstring problem, joining the likes of Taulupe Faletau, Adam Beard, Teddy Williams, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe on the sidelines with Josh Adams, Will Rowlands and Ryan Elias rested for the summer programme.

Prop Henry Thomas was a late withdrawal against South Africa with a foot injury but still hopes to make the tour.

Six Nations skipper Dafydd Jenkins is among seven English-based players - along with Christ Tshiunza, Nick Tompkins, Tommy Reffell, Dillon Lewis, Archie Griffin and Josh Hathaway - ineligible for the game.

Lake leads the side while James Botham fills the flanker role and lock Matthew Screech makes a first Test start.

Cardiff scrum-half Ellis Bevan is handed a Test debut, with three potential new caps in Eddie James, James Ratti and Jacob Beetham on the bench.

Cardiff full-back Beetham will cover fly-half Sam Costelow despite never starting a professional game at 10.

It is not the only first with Mason Grady starting at inside centre for the first time in his senior career in a new-look midfield partnership with Owen Watkin.

Liam Williams makes a first Wales appearance since the World Cup after being named on the wing with Cameron Winnett staying at full-back.

South Africa are without the Bulls contingent, while Cheslin Kolbe, Damien Willemse and Lukhanyo Am are injured.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus is still able to select 10 players from the squad that beat New Zealand in the World Cup final in October 2023.

New captain Pieter-Steph du Toit, Etzebeth and scrum-half Faf de Klerk are involved, while prop Vincent Koch wins his 50th cap.

With France-based double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi unavailable, flanker Du Toit leads the side and will be hoping for better luck after overseeing South Africa's narrow defeat against Wales in Washington in 2018.

The youth is provided by wing Edwill van der Merwe and fly-half Jordan Hendrikse who make their Test debuts, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ben-Jason Dixon could make first starts off the bench.

Read 72 times

Soccer

Miami's Fray avoids 4th ACL tear, out till early '25

Miami's Fray avoids 4th ACL tear, out till early '25

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami CF defender Ian Fray suffered an injury to his right me...

Mbappé's El Clásico debut a disaster for Real Madrid

Mbappé's El Clásico debut a disaster for Real Madrid

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMADRID -- Robert Lewandowski scored twice, while Lamine Yamal and R...

USMNT's Tyler Adams returns after back surgery

USMNT's Tyler Adams returns after back surgery

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnited States midfielder Tyler Adams made his first appearance sinc...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Bucks say Jackson unhurt in single-vehicle wreck

Bucks say Jackson unhurt in single-vehicle wreck

EmailPrintMILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Bucks reserve guard Andre Jackson Jr. was involved in a single-vehi...

LeBron: Crucial for red-hot AD to be 'focal point'

LeBron: Crucial for red-hot AD to be 'focal point'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- After scoring 35 points in his second consecutive ga...

Baseball

MLB wants clarity on Trop status by Christmas

MLB wants clarity on Trop status by Christmas

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Major League Baseball is hoping to know by Christmas...

Follow live: Can the Yankees rise up in Game 2 to even the series?

Follow live: Can the Yankees rise up in Game 2 to even the series?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLet's do it all over again!After the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated