Sam Costelow handed start against Boks

Rob LloydNews

Sam Costelow comes into the Wales starting XV for Saturday’s Autumn Nations finale against South Africa at the Principality Stadium. (KO 17.40h GMT, live on TNT Sports and S4C)

The fly-half is joined by Blair Murray – who is switched to full-back – Tom Rogers and Taine Plumtree in the starting line-up. Fellow Scarlets Ryan Elias and Eddie James are named on the replacements.

There are five changes to the starting XV from last weekend’s match against Australia.

Rio Dyer makes his first appearance of the series and is named on the wing.  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.

Wales coach Warren 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.”

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)