Six Nations champions Wales have made four changes and three positional switches for Saturday’s second Test against the Springboks, in a bid to exact revenge for last weekend's heavy defeat.
Regular flyhalf James Hook has been shifted to fullback, where he replaces Jamie Roberts, who moves to inside centre in place of Sonny Parker.
Richard Hibbard takes over from the injured Matthew Rees in the middle of the front row, while Rhys Thomas replaces Adam Jones at tighthead.
Gareth Delve gets a start at No 8, with captain Ryan Jones shifting to No 6, while Jonathan Thomas comes in at openside instead of Dafydd Jones.
There are also several changes on the bench following last weekend’s first Test defeat in Bloemfontein. The Wales team now shows new combinations in the back three, the midfield pairing, the back row, and the front row.
‘I am satisfied we have selected a team which accurately reflects all the hard work in training and the match analysis we have carried out this week,’ said coach Warren Gatland on Thursday.
‘We know where we were left wanting in the first Test and we have made selections aimed at improving those areas this weekend.’
Explaining his decision to select Hook out of position at fullback, Gatland said: ‘We know what James can do and we believe we need him on the pitch from the start as he is too good a footballer not to be used.
‘He has gone well at fullback in training during some pretty intense sessions and he will be able to play a big part in the game from 15.’
Reflecting on last weekend's heavy 43-17 defeat in Bloemfontein and anticipating a better showing by his men this weekend, Gatland said he was hoping his players would earn the respect they have been seeking on tour.
‘We want to win the respect of our opponents and I am confident we have picked a side capable of earning that respect if they play to their full potential.
‘We are playing the world champions on their home ground but this Welsh side is learning and developing with every game.’
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has also made four changes for Saturday’s match, overhauling his front row and bringing back World Cup winners Ricky Januarie and Victor Matfield.
In the new-look front row, the experienced BJ Botha replaces Brian Mujati, while newcomer Tendai Mtawarira will debut in place of Gurthro Steenkamp on the loosehead side of the scrum.
Scrumhalf Januarie, who missed last weekend's match after serving a one-week ban because of indiscipline, replaces Bolla Conradie, while Matfield returns to the second row to partner long-time teammate Bakkies Botha.
There are also changes on the replacements bench with loose forward Ryan Kankowski and utility back Francois Steyn getting a first chance since De Villiers replaced World Cup-winning coach Jake White as coach in January this year.
Prop Gurthro Steenkamp, lock Andries Bekker and scrumhalf Conradie, players who all started in Bloemfontein, will be on the bench.
Wales team to play South Africa:
James Hook; Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Gareth Delve, Jonathan Thomas, Ryan Jones (capt); Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Gough, Rhys Thomas, Richard Hibbard, Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: T Rhys Thomas, Duncan Jones, Ian Evans, Dafydd Jones, Warren Fury, Andrew Bishop, Tom James#
South Africa team to play Wales:
Conrad Jantjes; Tonderai Chavangha, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Butch James, Ricky Januarie; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Luke Watson; Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, BJ Botha, John Smit (capt), Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthr÷ Steenkamp, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Bolla Conradie, Francois Steyn, Percy Montgomery
