Nche rested against Wales with Louw to earn second successive start

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus decided to rest prop Ox Nche for Saturday’s Test against Wales in Cardiff, which will see a front-row reshuffle with Wilco Louw returning to the starting team at tighthead prop, while Thomas du Toit will move to loosehead.

Nche started last week’s Test against England in London and the match against Scotland in Edinburgh but Erasmus and his coaching team decided that it would be best for him to rest this weekend.

As a result, Louw has been drafted into the starting team for the final Test of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour, while the replacements bench remains unchanged from the one named by Erasmus on Tuesday.

Louw played his 15th Test for the Boks last week after last featuring in the green and gold in 2021 and his inclusion in the starting lineup will see him play his second match in a row on the tour.

“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,” said Erasmus.

“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 we have in the front row among the replacements.”

Erasmus also revealed that four players who were not included in the matchday squad would return home on Wednesday to spend time with their families before returning to their respective clubs and franchises.

Utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is nursing a shoulder niggle, returned home on Monday, while the other four players returning home are Kwagga Smith (loose forward), Lukhanyo Am (centre), Andre Esterhuizen (centre) and Makazole Mapimpi (wing).

“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,” said Erasmus. “So, we are confident that we all well covered in the event that anything should happen before the game.”

Meanwhile, Springbok lock Jean Kleyn, who will make his first appearance in the Springbok jersey since the Rugby World Cup final last year, was delighted to be back in the team and warned that Wales would be “dangerous” a prospect when the teams meet in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Test at the Principality Stadium, which kicks off at 7.4pm (SAST), marks the Boks’ final encounter of the year and it’s also the last match of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour.

Kleyn was called up to the squad as a replacement for Ruan Nortje, who suffered a leg injury before the first match against Scotland in Edinburg and he admitted that with the depth at lock in Erasmus’ squad, it was important to grab this opportunity with both hands.

“It’s been amazing to be back in the squad,” said Kleyn, who spent a large chunk of the season on the sidelines with an injury.

“Personally, it’s about slowly getting back into it and I’m glad to get this opportunity. It’s been good getting feedback from the coaches, but from a team perspective it’s mostly the same group of guys who all want to work hard and do well for the country.”

Kleyn expected a massive onslaught from Wales, who went down against 52-20 against Australia last week but he said that would charge the hosts up even more going into the match.

“I think we can expect desperation from them,” said Kleyn.

“A dog in the corner is always dangerous, so we're definitely preparing for a for a big fight, especially in the first 20 minutes.

“They are going to come out with a lot of emotion, so it's going to tough but we have plans in place to deal with their threats, and we’ve been working on areas that could make us a little more threatening.”

The physical second rower added: “They're a team with a lot of youngsters who want to prove a point and particularly since it’s the last game of the season and they are now 11 down, so they'd definitely love to finish the season by beating world champions.”

Kleyn complimented Erasmus and the coaches for the depth they’ve developed in the lock position over the last few seasons: “I’ve been looking in from the outside all year and that’s probably been the one position where there have been a few injuries and the players that stepped in did remarkably well.

“A player like Ruan (Nortje) stepped in and really made his mark. Obviously, the more depth we have, the better it is for the team. Adding to that, it certainly makes opportunities like Saturday important, because when you get a chance to play, you have to go out there and remind the coaches of what you can do.

“That said, it’s not just about trying to cement your own place in the team, it’s about the entire squad performing well for South Africa and working well for the team.

“The big thing is that we all work toward a common goal, and that's representing South Africa and making the country proud.”

Kleyn was excited about the opportunity to work with the new additions to the Springbok coaching team in Jerry Flannery and Tony Brown.

“I know Jerry from Munster, where he also worked with Rassie at a point and Tony is a good guy and coach and he has a nice open mindset when it comes to attack,” he said. “The boys are playing exciting rugby at the moment, so I'm glad to be part of it.”

Wales starting XV: 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 Christ Tshiunza, 4 Will Rowlands; 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (capt), 1 Gareth Thomas. 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.

South Africa starting XV: 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 (capt); 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 Handre Pollard.