Powerful Springboks go for 7-1 bench split v Wales

Cardiff Principality Stadium Date: Saturday, November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT

Seven forwards will face Wales at Principality Stadium in South Africa’s potent bench.

Although the autumn finale is outside of World Rugby’s authorized Test window, Rassie Erasmus retains the name of a formidable side for Cardiff despite being denied the services of several players.

The Springboks’ bench has more caps than Wales’ entire matchday squad (374).

Jean Kleyn and Franco Mostert are locked at blind-side flanker rather than lock, according to hooker Johan Grobbelaar and props Wilco Louw and Gerhard Steenekamp.

With Erasmus going for power on a bench that includes legendary lock Eben Etzebeth along the seven replacement forwards, Scrum-half Morne van den Berg, center Andre Esterhuizen, and wing Ethan Hooker are given the nod in the backs.

Given their depth, South Africa emerge as clear favorites to add to their victories over Japan, Italy, France, and Ireland.

We were aware from the beginning that we would lose players for this game because of their club commitments, but we are pleased with the selection of the team, according to Erasmus.

Many of the players have already settled, despite the fact that we have been rotating them throughout the year. This group has been together for close to five weeks.

Scrum-half Cobus Reinach, the only player remaining on the bench, is in line to earn his 50th cap.

Steve Tandy’s side returned to their English and French clubs this fall after conceding half-centuries to both Argentina and New Zealand in his first-choice line-up. Thirteen of Wales’ squad members have since returned to their English and French clubs.

Both teams had similar players availability issues, but they have a balanced squad with a few experienced players and a few young players who are desperate to make a statement, according to Erasmus.