South Africa’s Hendrikse brothers to face Wales

Autumn Nations Series: Wales v South Africa

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 23 November Kick off: 17:40 GMT

Coverage: Live on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, live text and commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

Brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse will start as South Africa half-backs for the first time in the Autumn Nations match against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus has made seven changes from the team that defeated England 29-20.

Flanker Siya Kolisi captains a 23-man squad that includes 17 World Cup winners.

The Hendrikse siblings are the only changes in the backline, while there are five alterations in the starting pack with hooker Johan Grobbelaar, prop Thomas du Toit, locks Jean Kleyn and Franco Mostert and flanker Elrigh Louw, who comes in the injured Pieter-Steph du Toit, included.

“Jordan played against Wales in June, and we are very excited to see how he dictates play with Jaden alongside him,” said Erasmus.

“We selected a squad that shows a good mix of experience and youth, which is crucial as we look to maintain some consistency in selection.”

Hanekom to make Springboks debut

Wales-qualified number eight Cameron Hanekom is set to make his debut from the bench, which has six forwards in Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman.

Hanekom, who has a Welsh grandmother, was drafted into the squad before the team’s departure for their pre-tour training camp in Jersey with more than 50 players featuring for the Springboks this season.

“Since being a child it’s been a dream to play for the Springboks, now the dream will become a reality on Saturday,” said Hanekom.

“It’s unbelievable. I’m very grateful and privileged to be here. I hope to take the opportunity with both hands.

“It never crossed my mind to play for Wales, it was more the media that speculated it.”

‘Wales have nothing to lose’
South Africa are facing a Wales side who have lost a record 11 consecutive Test matches and left head coach Warren Gatland under pressure.

In contrast the Springboks are looking for an 11th win in 13 games in 2024.

“This is our last match of the season, and we are determined to finish the year on a positive note,” said Erasmus.

“Wales are a proud nation with a world-renowned coach in Warren Gatland, and they’ll do everything to finish their campaign on a high note.

“We’ve experienced first-hand how a run of defeats can galvanise a team, and the fact that they’ll be playing at home with a passionate crowd behind them will inspire them even more.

“We’d love to finish the tour unbeaten, but we are well aware of the fact we’ve had a few close results against them over the years at the Principality Stadium.

“They are a team with everything to gain and nothing to lose, so it would be careless of us to think we just need to pitch up and the result will go in our favour.”

South Africa side to face Wales
Aphelele Fassi; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Ox Nche, Johan Grobbelaar, Thomas du Toit, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (capt), Elrigh Louw, Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard.