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 82 times

Soccer

NL quarterfinal draw: Spain to face Netherlands

NL quarterfinal draw: Spain to face Netherlands

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe draw for the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals was made on Frid...

Premier League injury and suspension news, predicted lineups, fantasy updates

Premier League injury and suspension news, predicted lineups, fantasy updates

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFind out who is missing through injury, who's in a race against tim...

Premier League changes APT rules after City case

Premier League changes APT rules after City case

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Premier League has announced changes to its Associated Party Tr...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Pistons' Cunningham exits vs. Hornets after fall

Pistons' Cunningham exits vs. Hornets after fall

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Detroit guard Cade Cunningham left Thursday nigh...

George has bone bruise, to miss at least 2 games

George has bone bruise, to miss at least 2 games

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhiladelphia 76ers star Paul George has a bone bruise in his left k...

Baseball

Ohtani 'slowly ramping up' in post-surgery rehab

Ohtani 'slowly ramping up' in post-surgery rehab

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani is in the early stages of rehabbing fr...

City OKs, then reverses $23M to fix Rays' stadium

City OKs, then reverses $23M to fix Rays' stadium

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The St. Petersburg City Council reversed co...

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