Late Wales v South Africa change announced

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has been forced into making another late change ahead of his side's clash with Wales on Saturday.

The Springboks had already made a U-turn on prop Ox Nche in Cardiff, naming him in the starting XV to face Warren Gatland's side before opting to rest him, after he suffered a deep cut above his knee against England last weekend. The 29-year-old's withdrawal has seen Thomas du Toit move from tighthead to cover loosehead, with Wilco Louw brought into the starting lineup.

However, Erasmus has now had to make another change to his starting side after lock Jean Kleyn sustained "a niggle" in training. The setback is a big blow for Kleyn, who was in line to win his first cap for the Springboks since last year's Rugby World Cup, having been injured for most of this year.

But the Springboks have drafted in a decent replacement for the 31-year-old, with World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Eben Etzebeth now starting in his place at the Principality Stadium.

The 130-cap international - who now holds the record for the most appearances for his country - had originally been named among the replacements, with flanker Marco van Staden brought in to fill his spot on the bench.

“We feel for Jean as it would have been his first Test since the Rugby World Cup final last year," said Erasmus as he addressed the late change. "But Marco is also a Rugby World Cup winner and has been with the squad all season, and he has also been training with the squad all week and throughout the tour, so it was a logical choice for him to start on the bench."

Get the latest breaking news sent directly to your phone with our free WhatsApp service here.

Updated South Africa XV v Wales: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Cheslin Kolbe, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 1. Thomas du Toit, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Franco Mostert, 6. Siya Kolisi (c), 7. Elrigh Louw, 8. Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Marco van Staden, 20. RG Snyman, 21. Cameron Hanekom, 22. Cobus Reinach, 23. Handre Pollard