South Africa have gone with a powerful seven-forward bench for their autumn international against Wales at the Principality Stadium, signalling a physically dominant approach despite several squad withdrawals.
Bench Strength Stands Out
Rassie Erasmus is without a number of players because the match falls outside World Rugby’s official Test window. Even then, the Springboks’ bench carries 374 caps — more than Wales’ entire squad total of 267, highlighting the gulf in depth. Eben Etzebeth headlines the forward-loaded bench as he targets his 141st cap.
Eight Changes from Ireland Win
The coach has made eight changes from the side that beat Ireland 24–13 in Dublin. Core players retained include captain Siya Kolisi, Ruan Nortje, Jasper Wiese, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian de Allende, Canan Moodie and Damian Willemse, keeping the spine of the team intact.
Fresh Power in the Pack
Hooker Johan Grobbelaar, props Wilco Louw and Gerhard Steenekamp, lock Jean Kleyn, and Franco Mostert — starting at blindside instead of lock — join a sizeable forward unit. Erasmus has clearly prioritised physicality, with the Springboks expected to dominate collisions.
Backline Tweaks for Cardiff
Morne van den Berg starts at scrum-half, with Andre Esterhuizen and Ethan Hooker added to the backline. Cobus Reinach is the lone back among replacements, poised for his 50th cap, as Erasmus doubles down on forward reinforcement with a 7–1 split.
Wales Face Tough Challenge
Wales, missing 13 players who returned to English and French clubs, have conceded heavy defeats to Argentina and New Zealand this autumn. Erasmus expects a fired-up Welsh effort, saying both teams were impacted by player availability but Wales’ mix of veterans and youngsters will look to make a statement at home.
South Africa Starting XV
Willemse; Hooker, De Allende, Esterhuizen, Moodie; Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Van der Berg; Steenekamp, Grobbelaar, Louw, Kleyn, Nortje, Kolisi (capt), Mostert, Wiese.
Replacements: Mbonambi, Porthen, Ntlabakanye, Etzebeth, Van Staden, Dixon, Smith, Reinach.
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