Flyhalf Meyer Bosman will make his South Africa rugby debut in a new halves pairing with Free State teammate Michael Claassens against Wales on Saturday at the Millennium Stadium.
The 20-year-old Bosman replaces Andre Pretorius, who injured his ankle during the 34-23 win in Argentina on November 5.
Claassens received his first run-on start from coach Jake White on Wednesday after four previous appearances as a reserve. Bolla Conradie dropped to the bench.
Meanwhile, winger Dafydd James returns for Wales for the first time since 2002 in place of Kevin Morgan, who also had a bad ankle.
It’s one of six changes to the team who edged Fiji 11-10 on Friday.
South Africa are without both of their leading flyhalves and both top scrumhalves — all injured — and White believed it is a good time to give newcomers a chance in terms of developing experience for the 2007 World Cup.
”It’s always a big call when you pick a new cap, but Meyer is a player who complements the rest of the backs,” said White. ”I’ve watched him play for Free State and I have to go on what I see. But he is big and tall, passes well off both hands, has time on the ball, and has solid defensive capabilities.
”We have done well on tour in the past with big flyhalves like Henry Honnibal.”
There are two other changes: flanker Schalk Burger replaces Solly Tyibilika, who dropped out of the 22, and loosehead prop Lawrence Sephaka takes over from Os du Randt, who is being rested on the bench.
Captain and hooker John Smit will become the eighth Springbok to earn 50 caps.
Beside James’s recall, one other change by Wales coach Mike Ruddock was forced by injury — Robert Sidoli for lock Brent Cockbain, who underwent surgery on Sunday to reattach a hamstring he hurt against Fiji. Cockbain is expected to be out for six months.
Ruddock’s reaction to the dismal effort against Fiji included bringing back Dafydd Jones at prop for John Yapp, former captain Colin Charvis at flanker for Jonathan Thomas, who was benched, captain Gareth Thomas for Matthew Watkins in midfield, and replacing Nicky Robinson at flyhalf with British Lions starter Stephen Jones.
Jones will become the 16th Welsh player to reach 50 caps.
”We may have lost a few players to injuries but we believe we have an exceptionally strong team here with a good mix of experienced players and some great young prospects,” Ruddock said.
Five of Wales’ 11 British Lions players remain sidelined by injury: Gavin Henson, Dwayne Peel, Tom Shanklin, Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins. — Sapa-AP
Teams
Wales: Lee Byrne, Dafydd James, Gareth Thomas (captain), Sonny Parker, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Dafydd Jones, Rhys Thomas, Chris Horsman, Luke Charteris, Robert Sidoli, Colin Charvis, Martyn Williams, Michael Owen.
Replacements: Methin Davies, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Jonathan Thomas, Michael Phillips, Ceri Sweeney, Matthew Watkins.
South Africa: Percy Montgomery, Conrad Jantjes, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Meyer Bosman, Michael Claassens; Lawrence Sephaka, John Smit (captain), CJ van der Linde, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Jacques Cronje.
Replacements: Hanyani Shimange, Os du Randt, Albert van den Berg, Danie Rossouw, Bolla Conradie, De Wet Barry, Brent Russell.