Liam Williams can play wing or full back
Liam Williams can play wing or full back

Wales v South Africa: 14 Changes for Wales, as Liam Williams starts


Liam Williams will replace full-back Leigh Halfpenny in the Wales team for Saturday's November finale against South Africa.

Halfpenny misses the Springboks clash due to the concussion he suffered during Wales' 9-6 victory over Australia 12 days ago.

Saracens back Williams has been handed the number 15 shirt by head coach Warren Gatland, who makes 14 changes from the side that beat Tonga. It means it's similar to the side that beat Australia, with Halfpenny's absence the solitary change from that one

Williams, who lined up on the wing and scored two tries when Wales beat Tonga 74-24 five days ago, started twice at full-back for his country last season and in all three 2017 British and Irish Lions Tests against New Zealand.

Gareth Anscombe will fill the fly-half berth, with Dan Biggar on replacement duty, while Adam Beard is again captain Alun Wyn Jones' second-row partner.

Elsewhere, wing George North has recovered from a leg injury that forced him off against the Wallabies and Gatland retains a back row of Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty.

Wales have won four of the last five games against South Africa and they are also chasing a ninth successive victory against all opponents, which would equal their longest unbeaten run since 1999.

And they go into the Principality Stadium clash needing victory to complete a first four-from-four autumn Tests clean sweep after seeing off Scotland, Australia and Tonga earlier this month.

Gatland said: "We have rewarded the team that faced Australia with another start this weekend.

"Leigh misses out with concussion, but it's a great opportunity for Liam at full-back.

"We are really pleased with how the bench has gone in the first three games, so we will be looking for that impact again on Saturday.

"There were a lot of tough selection calls, but that is what we want. The team that played last week was hugely impressive and there are some disappointed boys who miss out.

"We want to end the campaign with a big performance against a very good South African side."


Wales team to face South Africa

L Williams (Saracens); North (Ospreys), J Davies (Scarlets), Parkes (Scarlets), Adams (Worcester); Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), G Davies (Scarlets); Smith (Ospreys), Owens (Scarlets), Francis (Exeter), Beard (Ospreys), Jones (Ospreys, capt), Lydiate (Ospreys), Tipuric (Ospreys), Moriarty (Dragons).

Replacements: Dee, Evans Lewis, Hill, Jenkins, Williams, Biggar, Watkin.


Related rugby union links

Like what you've read?

MOST READ

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content
We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo