Springboks scrum coach Daan Human bizarrely dismissed the idea of the world champions being favourites as meaningless ahead of the Cardiff clash.
“I don’t believe in favourites tags. It doesn’t help a team,” Human said, despite the world champions winning 11 of their 13 Tests this year and closing in on a second consecutive unbeaten northern tour.
Wales, meanwhile, have won just two of 10 matches in 2025 (both against Japan) – and two in their last 20 in all Tests - and are without 13 first-choice players due to injuries and club commitments outside the World Rugby window.
Wales coach Steve Tandy has drafted in James Ratti, Garyn Phillips, Ellis Mee and Evan Lloyd to cover extensive absences, with Liam Belcher ruled out and Aaron Wainwright battling to recover from a hip injury picked up before the 52–26 defeat to New Zealand.
Human admitted the Springboks will also be missing several big names — including Malcolm Marx, Handré Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie Libbok and Pieter-Steph du Toit who have all flown home to play for their clubs — but insisted rotation is part of their routine.
“We basically play with different teams or make a lot of changes week in and week out, so we are used to it,” he said.
Since 2018, South Africa have lost only twice to Wales, and they arrive in Cardiff after overpowering Ireland 24–13 in Dublin, a performance that underlined their dominance at the set piece.
Human, though, refused to predict a repeat: “My father always says, don’t tell me what you are going to do, tell me what you’ve done, so we’ll see what happens.”
Tandy, restricted to selecting Wales-based players while the regions play United Rugby Championship fixtures, faces South Africa with a squad of 30 containing 18 forwards and 12 backs — many with minimal Test experience.
Despite the contrast in form and availability, Human insisted South Africa are proceeding with caution.
“Wales have quality players, especially their starting front row, and in general they have guys who can really perform and some with a lot of experience, which is quite similar to our team,” he claimed.
The Boks have the opportunity to wrap up their five-match tour unbeaten and Human aded: “We set goals at the beginning of the year, and there’s only one game left, so it would be a great achievement if we can get it right.”
The Springboks can secure a flawless five-match tour with victory on Saturday, but Human insists achievements are not the focus.
“We don’t think about records and being unbeaten, we simply focus on the next game.”
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Wales squad to face South Africa
Forwards (18): Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Danny Southworth (Cardiff), Garyn Phillips (Ospreys), Dewi Lake (Ospreys, capt), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff), Brodie Coghlan (Dragons), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Christian Coleman (Dragons), Ben Warren (Ospreys), Ben Carter (Dragons), Rhys Davies (Ospreys), James Fender (Ospreys), James Ratti (Ospreys), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Harri Deaves (Ospreys).
Backs (12): Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Callum Sheedy (Cardiff), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Joe Roberts (Scarlets), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ellis Mee (Scarlets).
