The former Toyota Cheetahs loosehead prop, Ox Nche, has been withdrawn from the squad due to a laceration above his knee. Nche suffered the injury early in the second half of the 29-20 win against England at Twickenham in London last week.

The player was given the all-clear and trained with the squad, while also being back in the starting XV for Saturday.

The coach, Rassie Erasmus, said the beauty of their squad is that they always have a player who can step in when the need arises. “So, we are confident that we are all well covered if anything should happen before the game,” said the former Springbok captain.

Wilco Louw. Photo: BackpagePix

“Ox has been a key player for us this season and, given his high work rate over the last few months, we opted to rest him for this clash. Wilco started last week’s match, and he’s been training well this week, so it makes sense to include him in the starting team and move Thomas to loosehead prop.

“It also maintains the consistency in the front row among the replacements.”

In addition, five players in the touring squad have already returned to South Africa. The World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, Pieter-Steph du Toit, has a shoulder injury and has returned to South Africa on Monday, while Lukhanyo Am, André Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi and Kwagga Smith have all departed already as well.

Pieter-Steph du Toit. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We gave a few players who are not playing the option to remain in camp or return home to spend quality time with their families, while at the same time ensuring that we have enough depth in the squad to cover all the positions in case we suffer injuries before the match,” Erasmus added.

Saturday’s Test between Wales and the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff kicks off at 19:40.

Wales - 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 James Botham, 5 Will Rowlands, 4 Christ Tshiunza, 3 Gareth Thomas, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Archie Griffin

Replacements - 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Eddie James, 23 Josh Hathaway

Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Thomas du Toit

Replacements – 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Handré Pollard

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg