Wales are as depleted as they can get but still believe that facing the World Champion Springboks is “as good as it gets” and are relishing the challenge.
Coach Steve Tandy is without 13 players because the game is outside the test window, but has further lost winger/fullback Josh Adams because of suspension and now last weekend’s hat-trick try-scoring hero Tom Rogers to injury.
While the Springboks are also missing around a dozen players because of club commitments, the depth in Welsh rugby and their current form is something that has led many pundits to believe this will be a one-sided contest.
Coach Steve Tandy brought the team announcement forward a day because by the time their England and France-based players had left, there were really no secrets to keep for another 24 hours.
The side - which is extremely inexperienced - has only 267 caps in the entire starting line-up, with only three players having more than 25 caps.
MISSING KEY PLAYERS
The Welsh lost 52-26 to the All Blacks last weekend and then had to say goodbye to a number of players who played in that game, including Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Max Llewellyn, Tomos Williams and Freddie Thomas (all Gloucester), Rhys Carré and Nick Tompkins (both Saracens), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Adam Beard (Montpellier) and Jarrod Evans (Harlequins).
Kieran Hardy comes in at scrumhalf, with Joe Roberts at outside centre and there are new wingers in Ellis Mee and Rio Dyer.
There is a new set of locks in Ben Carter and Rhys Davies while Gareth Thomas starts at loosehead.
Aaron Wainwright comes back in from injury at No 8 while Taine Plumtree moves to blindside and Alex Mann moves to openside. Cardiff loosehead prop Danny Southworth is set to make his debut from the bench.
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TANDY UPBEAT ABOUT CHALLENGE
At the announcement Steve Tandy tried to gee up the troops and said it was a great opportunity for his side against the double World Champions.
“It’s a great opportunity for the boys. It’s an opportunity for a good few boys to get their start. They’ve all worked hard, excited and can’t wait to get going,” Tandy said.
"It’s always a challenge but we’ve had them for five or six weeks. They are always running our plays and structures. We want to focus on ourselves. With limited numbers you get more intensity. We are always trying to upskill and it isn’t perfect. The boys haven’t played for a while but it's a great opportunity to see where we are."
Tandy did say the injury to Rogers wasn’t serious.
“The game is so physical and such a demand. Tommy was outstanding and we spoke before he came back into the team how well he responded in training. He’s a great man and the way he went about it was great. Unfortunately he can’t build on it. He’s getting scanned but touch wood it’s not serious."
HIGH PRAISE FOR BOKS
Tandy also had high praise for the Springboks.
"Any game is a great game for us. Ask any player to represent their country no matter where it is, it is a great opportunity. We are playing against unbelievable opposition so it will be class learnings for ourselves and individuals.
"They are incredible. You see Rassie (Erasmus) how he goes about his selections on the bench. They’ve got two or three teams they can put out. It’s amazing we get to play them. Hopefully we put in a positive performance we can be proud of.
"Test matches are physical anyway but SA are the ultimate test for physicality. You’ve seen the way our boys have pitched up, they've got toughness and the way they’ve put their bodies on the line,” he added.
But it is hard to see an inexperienced side like this troubling the Boks as they strive for a victory to cap the perfect November tour.
WALES: Blair Murray; Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Aaron Wainright, Alex Mann, Taine Plumtree, Rhys Davies, Ben Carter, Keiron Assiratti, Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Danny Southworth, Chris Coleman, James Ratti, Morgan Morse, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Callum Sheedy, Ben Thomas