Wales vs South Africa - Rassie Erasmus brings in new blood for opening Test of the season

Two debutants start with flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse in the 10 jumper and Edwill van der Merwe starting on the wing.

There will be two more debutants off the bench in Stormers duo, Ben-Jason Dixon at lock and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as a utility back. Erasmus has been known for making bold bench decision and at the World Cup alternated between a 6-2 and 7-1 split between forwards and backs.

This weekend the two-time Rugby World Cup winning coach has gone with the conventional 5-3 split.

There is plenty of experience to fall back on for Erasmus who has made it clear that while blooding new players is key to the future, he also desperately wants to win the test. In total, there are 10 players in the 23-man squad that featured in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.

Siya Kolisi is not part of the squad and his future as captain is uncertain. The team will be led by Pieter-Steph du Toit while fellow stalwarts, Eben Etzebeth, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Faf de Klerk and Jesse Kriel all start.

15. Aphelele Fassi

14. Edwill van der Merwe

13. Jesse Kriel

12. Andre Esterhuizen

11. Makazole Mapimpi

10. Jordan Hendrikse

9. Faf de Klerk

8. Evan Roos

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (c)

6. Kwagga Smith

5. Franco Mostert

4. Eben Etzebeth

3. Vincent Koch

2. Malcolm Marx

1. Ox Niche

Bench:

16. Bongi Mbonambi

17. Ntuthuko Mchunu

18. Frans Malherbe

19. Salmaan Moerat

20. Ben-Jason Dixon

21. Grant Williams

22. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

23. Damian de Allende