Three Ospreys have been named in Warren Gatland’s Wales team to face South Africa in the third and final match of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series at Principality Stadium on Saturday 23 November (KO 17.40h GMT, live on TNT Sports and S4C).
Dewi Lake starts at hooker and is captain, with Gareth Thomas lining up at loosehead and Jac Morgan retaining the seven jersey.
There are five changes to the starting XV from last weekend’s match against Australia.
Rio Dyer makes his first appearance of this Autumn Nations Series having being named on the wing. Blair Murray moves to full back with Tom Rogers completing the back three.
Sam Costelow comes in at fly half for his first start this November.
Christ Tshiunza is named in the second row alongside Will Rowlands following injury to Adam Beard.
Taine Plumtree starts at No. 8 with James Botham at blind-side flanker and Jac Morgan at open-side.
There are two changes among the Wales replacements: Freddie Thomas, who joins the bench as second row cover, is in line to win his first cap for Wales on Saturday. Josh Hathaway joins Rhodri Williams and Eddie James as the back line cover.
Gatland said: “Last week’s result hurts and we are just as disappointed by it as the fans. Our focus now is on training and preparing well for our final game of this Autumn Nations Series.
“There were good elements that we can definitely build on going into Saturday but we have to improve our accuracy.
“We know what a quality side South Africa are and the physicality they bring. This week we need to show real courage and front up against the World Champions.”
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Mae Prif Hyfforddwr Cymru, Warren Gatland wedi enwi ei dîm i wynebu Pencampwyr y Byd, De Affrica yng ngêm olaf Cyfres yr Hydref 2024 yn Stadiwm Principality, ddydd Sadwrn 23 Tachwedd am 5.40pm. (Bydd yr ornest yn fyw ar S4C a TNT Sports).
Mae pum newid o’r tîm ddechreuodd yr ornest yn erbyn Awstralia ddydd Sul diwethaf.
Bydd Rio Dyer yn chwarae ei gêm gyntaf yng Nghyfres yr Hydref eleni tra bo Tom Rogers yn cadw’i le ar yr asgell arall. Symud o’r asgell i safle’r cefnwr fydd Blair Murray.
Sam Costelow sydd wedi ei ddewis i ddechrau’n safle’r maswr am y tro cyntaf yn y gyfres eleni.
Yn dilyn yr anaf i Adam Beard, Christ Tshiunza fydd partner Will Rowlands yn yr ail reng.
Taine Plumtree sydd wedi ei ddewis yn wythwr gyda James Botham a Jac Morgan yn flaen-asgellwyr.
Mae dau newid ar y fainc i Gymru hefyd: Bydd Freddie Thomas – all ennill ei gap cyntaf ddydd Sadwrn - yn opsiwn fel clo. Josh Hathaway, Rhodri Williams ac Eddie James fydd yr eilyddion o safbwynt yr olwyr.
Dywedodd Warren Gatland: “Roedd canlyniad yr wythnos ddiwethaf yn brifo ac ‘ry’n ni gyd yr un mor siomedig â’r cefnogwyr. ‘Ry’n ni’n canolbwyntio’n llwyr ar baratoi hyd eitha’n gallu ar gyfer her y penwythnos yma a’n gêm olaf yng Nghyfres yr Hydref eleni.
“Fe wnaethon ni rai pethau’n dda ddydd Sul diwethaf a byddwn yn adeiladu ar hynny’r penwythnos hwn. Wedi dweud hynny – mae’n rhaid i ni wella’n cywirdeb a bod yn fwy clinigol.
“Mae De Affrica’n dîm corfforol ac yn dîm arbennig o ddawnus hefyd. Bydd angen i ni fod yn ddewr ac yn ddi-gyfaddawd yn erbyn Pencampwyr y Byd.”
Wales team to face South Africa | Tîm Cymru i wynebu De Affrica
15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 2 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 5 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 4 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 6 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 22 caps)
10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 17 caps)
9. Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 5 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 35 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys / Gweilch – 17 caps) captain / capten
3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby / Caerfaddon – 5 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 35 caps)
5. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 14 caps)
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 15 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys / Gweilch – 17 caps)
8. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 6 caps)
Replacements / Eilyddion
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 43 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 48 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 9 caps)
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – uncapped / heb gap)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 22 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons / Dreigiau – 4 caps)
22. Eddie James (Scarlets – 2 caps)
23. Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 1 cap)
