Springboks team to face Wales in Cardiff

Powerful prop Tendai Mtawarira has been ruled out of South Africa's clash against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Mtawarira - nicknamed the 'Beast' - is sidelined due to a groin injury and will be replaced in the front row by Steven Kitshoff.

Springboks head coach Allister Coetzee has made four other changes from the side that beat Italy last weekend.

Wing Warrick Gelant makes his first Test start, taking over from Courtnall Skosan, with hooker Malcolm Marx returning from a shoulder injury, flanker Siya Kolisi being back in action and number eight Dan du Preez also handed a full international debut.

Du Preez replaces Duane Vermeulen who, along with flanker Francois Louw and lock Franco Mostert, is back at his club because the match falls outside World Rugby's autumn Test window.

"We expect another gruelling contest against a strong Welsh team," Coetzee told www.sarugby.net.

"It is another opportunity for this side to develop and grow, playing at the Principality Stadium in front of a passionate crowd of more than 65,000.

"It will be a different challenge altogether this week - Wales are renowned for their passing game and their width in attack.

"Dan gets the chance to start, and he fits into the plan for Saturday. Warrick is an elusive runner, who used his opportunity last week, and I am looking forward to see him getting a start on Saturday."

Lock Eben Etzebeth captains South Africa for an 11th time, with the Springboks striving to avoid a third successive defeat against their opponents on Welsh soil.

South Africa team to play Wales

Forwards: 1 Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), 2 Malcolm Marx (Emirates Lions), 3 Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers), 4 Eben Etzebeth (CAPTAIN, DHL Stormers), 5 Lood de Jager (Vodacom Bulls), 6 Siya Kolisi (DHL Stormers), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers), 8 Dan du Preez (Cell C Sharks)

Backs: 9 Ross Cronje (Emirates Lions), 10 Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), 11 Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Bulls), 12 Francois Venter (Toyota Cheetahs), 13 Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Bulls), 14 Dillyn Leyds (DHL Stormers), 15 Andries Coetzee (Emirates Lions)

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers), 17 Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls), 18 Ruan Dreyer (Emirates Lions), 19 Oupa Mohoje (Toyota Cheetahs), 20 Uzair Cassiem (Toyota Cheetahs), 21 Louis Schreuder (Cell C Sharks), 22 Elton Jantjies (Emirates Lions / NTT Shining Arcs, Japan), 23 Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks)

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