Overview
- South Africa named a much‑changed matchday 23 for Saturday in Cardiff, confirming a rare 7–1 forwards‑to‑backs bench with Cobus Reinach the only back.
- Reinach is set to reach 50 caps off the bench, with Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Marco van Staden, Ben‑Jason Dixon and Kwagga Smith among the forward reinforcements.
- A host of regulars returned to clubs because the game falls outside the Test window, including Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit, Boan Venter, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Pieter‑Steph du Toit, Grant Williams, Handré Pollard, Manie Libbok, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe and Edwill van der Merwe.
- Rassie Erasmus said availability forced the bench split and confirmed a slim touring group, with Ntuthuko Mchunu as player 24 and coach Duane Vermeulen on standby as player 25, noting the Boks are two injuries away from using Vermeulen.
- Erasmus highlighted using 49 players this year as part of building depth toward 2027, while Welsh reports note the WRU scheduled the extra fixture to bolster revenues despite depleted squads.