Wales make six changes for Durban test against South Africa

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has made six changes to his starting lineup, emphasizing a need for a "real physical edge" as his team prepares to face the world champion Springboks in Durban on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The match is the third round of the Nations Championship and will be played at Kings Park.

The selection sees the return of wing Louis Rees-Zammit and the promotion of flyhalf Dan Edwards to the starting fifteen. A new centre partnership of Max Llewellyn and Ben Thomas has been formed, replacing Eddie James and Joe Hawkins from the side that lost 35-21 to Argentina last weekend. In the pack, lock Teddy Williams earns his first start in a year, coming in for the injured Ben Carter, while flanker Alex Mann is preferred to James Botham. Captain and hooker Dewi Lake has been passed fit to play after recovering from a groin problem.

Tandy explained the changes were driven by a need for freshness at the end of a long season featuring significant travel, as well as rewarding players for their efforts. He stated that some players deserved an opportunity and that it was a chance to freshen up the team. The tactical setup further underscores the anticipated nature of the...