South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus insists his established rotation policy will benefit the Springboks against Wales.
The world champions are without several high-profile players in Cardiff as Saturday’s fixture falls outside World Rugby’s official Test window.
Those players – who included world player of the year Malcolm Marx, Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Handre Pollard and Cheslin Kolbe – have returned to their clubs and provincial unions.
But, unlike Wales who are without 13 England and France-based players, South Africa possess considerable depth and Siya Kolisi captains a side including number eight Jasper Wiese, centre Damian de Allende and full-back Damian Willemse.
“We knew from the outset that we would lose players for this match due to their club commitments, and we are pleased with the quality of the team we’ve selected,” said Erasmus, who has made eight changes from the team that defeated Ireland in Dublin.
“We’ve been rotating our players throughout the year, and this group has been together for close to five weeks. So many of these combinations are fully settled and we are excited that they will receive another chance to play.
“I’d like to thank the provincial unions and clubs who released these players to represent the country this weekend, so we could field a strong side capable of finishing off our November tour on a high note.
“We’ve used a total of 49 players in Test matches this season, which is a testament to the depth we have been developing with an eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
“Both teams were in a similar situation with regards to the availability of players, but they have a balanced squad with a few seasoned players and several younger guys who will be desperate to make a statement.
“So, we are expecting them to come out firing and to throw everything at us.”
Erasmus has opted for a 7-1 split on the bench with Cobus Reinach – who could win his 50th Test cap 11 years after making his debut – the only backline replacement.
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 27, 2025
South Africa team to play Wales
Forwards: 1 Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), 2 Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), 3 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), 4 Jean Kleyn (Munster), 5 Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), 6 Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 7 Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), 8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)
Backs: 9 Morne van den Berg (Lions), 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), 11 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), 12 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 13 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), 14 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 15 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 17 Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), 19 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 20 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), 21 Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), 22 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), 23 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers)