Halfbacks Stephen Jones and Mike Phillips are under pressure to spark Wales’ back division as Warren Gatland’s side look for only its second ever victory over South Africa on Saturday.
The Welsh scrum was in dominant mood against Australia last weekend but the backline misfired as the Wallabies came away from Millennium Stadium with a 25-16 win.
Jones and Phillips have taken much of the flak over the last week for Wales’ deficiencies out wide but the pair, who started all three games for the British and Irish Lions against the Springboks last year, have kept their places for the match against the world champions.
“You’ve got two quality players who know they are under a little bit of pressure,” Gatland said.
“They’ve got an opportunity to go out and perform. They both have experience of playing against South Africa, and of being with the Lions.
“This is a big game for them and they need a big game. They are very aware of that. We need to be a bit more creative and a little bit more expansive, which is something we want to add to our game for this weekend.”
South Africa scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar is wary of the abilities of Phillips, whose place is being threatened by Richie Rees — a tryscorer late on against Australia last weekend.
“I know he’s under a bit of pressure but you don’t become a bad player overnight,” Pienaar said. “He is one of the better 9s in world rugby and every time he gets picked in the Welsh jersey, all the players around him are confident.”
The return of fullback Lee Byrne, who has recovered from a broken hand, allows James Hook to switch from number 15 to his preferred position in the centres alongside Tom Shanklin for Wales.
That should give the hosts more innovation in midfield while power out wide will be provided by debutant 1,93m winger George North, who has been dubbed the “Welsh Jonah Lomu” in some quarters because of his size.
It will be a tough baptism for the 18-year-old Scarlets player as he will be up against Springboks star Bryan Habana, arguably the world’s most feared winger.
“I have been asked whether I would compare him to Jonah Lomu. Physically, I think I probably would,” said Wales’ opposite wing Shane Williams. “He’s got a lot of pace and great feet, like Jonah had.
“He is a player I think we are going to see for a long time. There is no bigger test for him, really — his first cap against the world champions South Africa and playing against my old friend Bryan Habana. I’m sure he can go out there, enjoy the experience and I’ve no qualms about him coming out on top.”
Martyn Williams replaces the injured Sam Warburton at flanker and Ryan Jones, Wales’ regular captain, is on the bench after recovering from a calf problem.
South Africa, which has been deprived of 13 injured players for its European tour, has paid Wales respect by making just one change to the side that started last Saturday’s morale-boosting 23-21 win over Ireland, with big-kicking center Frans Steyn coming in for Zane Kirchner.
Captain Victor Matfield will surpass the national record of John Smit and Percy Montgomery and win his 103rd cap for the Springboks, who are recovering from losing five out of six games in this year’s Tri-Nations and seeking to end a tough year with an historic Gland Slam of the home unions.
“We are coming off a long season and for us this is a big mental challenge,” Pienaar said. “Hopefully we can achieve it [the Grand Slam]. But it hasn’t been mentioned that much among the group and we are taking it game by game.”
Wales’ solitary victory over the Springboks came 11 games ago, in 1999. The teams drew in 1970 and South Africa has won the other 23 matches played.
The Millennium Stadium roof is set to be closed after wet and stormy weather hit Cardiff this week.
Teams
Wales: Lee Byrne, George North, Tom Shanklin, James Hook, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees (captain), Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun-Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Martyn Williams, Jonathan Thomas. Replacements: Huw Bennett, Paul James, Ryan Jones, Andy Powell, Richie Rees, Andy Bishop, Chris Czekaj.
South Africa: Gio Aplon, Bjorn Basson, Frans Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield (captain), Deon Stegmann, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies. Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe, Francois Hougaard, Zane Kirchner, Patrick Lambie. – Sapa-AP