Overview
- Wales make eight changes to the starting XV from the All Blacks loss and 14 to the matchday 23, with Ellis Mee set for a debut on the wing and Aaron Wainwright returning as Dewi Lake captains.
- Thirteen squad members are unavailable because the Cardiff fixture sits outside World Rugby’s window, limiting selection to region-based players and leaving a bench with only six caps plus uncapped prop Danny Southworth.
- South Africa will also be without multiple regulars released to clubs — including Malcolm Marx, RG Snyman, Pieter‑Steph du Toit, Handre Pollard and Cheslin Kolbe — with their matchday 23 due Thursday.
- Springbok players and coaches insist focus remains high for the tour finale, with hooker Johan Grobbelaar saying the squad is “100% in” and scrum coach Daan Human downplaying any favourites tag.
- Kick-off is Saturday at the Principality Stadium (15:10 GMT), with France’s Luc Ramos refereeing his first Springbok Test.