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2022 Castle Lager Incoming Series
2nd test match
South Africa vs Wales
Toyota Stadium
Bloemfontein, South Africa
Saturday, 9 July 2022
Kick-off is at 17h05
Wales will be looking to square the 2022
Castle Lager Incoming Series when they face South Africa in the second test at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday, July 9.
The Springboks won the first test in Pretoria by three points after Damian Willemse converted a penalty at the death to clinch a 32-29 victory.
Wayne Pivac's team came so close to ending their 58-year wait for a first win in South Africa; they scored a try in the 76th minute to draw level at 29-29 but Dan Biggar missed his conversion for the chance to put the tourists ahead.
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The world champions have now triumphed in their last three matches against the Welsh, who had beaten them four times in a row prior to that, and Pivac expressed his disappointment at losing in the manner which they did.
"It was a huge effort but when you are down 12 men against the world champions it is very, very difficult. Discipline, we were on the wrong side of the referee today," he said.
"The effort was there. It was more under pressure and fatigue. It's such a shame we lost it at the end, I would have taken a draw.
"I'm disappointed for the players as they have worked so hard this week. I'm proud but it's one that got away, world champions in their backyard. We will roll our sleeves for next week."
Pivac must do without prop Tomas Francis for the remainder of the tour after he suffered a concussion in the first test.
Meanwhile, Boks coach Jacques Nienaber has made 14 changes for the clash in the Free State, with only lock Eben Etzebeth retaining his place in the starting line-up.
Fly-half Handre Pollard will skipper the team in the absence of Siya Kolisi, while Kurt-Lee Arendse and Evan Roos are set to make their debuts.
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Nienaber has faith that this new-look XV can get the job done despite Wales almost making history at Loftus Versfeld last weekend against his first-choice starters.
"We'll never choose a team we believe can't win," he said. "I've said it many times before. This isn't a platform for development.
"You have to perform. That's the most important and only requirement. It will be tight because we're facing a Wales team desperate to still win this series.
"That's this team's pressure. The other side wanted to make a good early start last weekend. They ticked their box. The team that played last week made this team selection possible.
"We had a plan with all 42 players in our squad and told them about the plan from day one. Everyone knew about the plan, but you don't know whether it will be doable and be able to execute it. The win obviously gave us an opportunity."
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 38
South Africa - 31
Wales - 6
Draws - 1
Springbok team: Warrick Gelant, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Handre Pollard (captain), Jaden Hendrikse, Evan Roos, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marcel Coetzee, Marvin Orie, Eben Etzebeth, Trevor Nyakane, Joseph Dweba, Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Vincent Koch, Ruan Nortje, Rynhardt Elstadt, Deon Fourie, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse
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