Wales are set to lose 13 players ahead of the clash with the Springboks, with new faces set to head into camp by Monday
Wales will call in reinforcements(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Wales coach Steve Tandy expects to call up more players ahead of next week’s out-of-window clash with the world champion Springboks.
The fourth and final game of the autumn will see Wales welcome South Africa to Cardiff, with 13 members of their 41-man squad unavailable for selection. The dozen English-based players, as well as France-based Adam Beard, will head back to their clubs – leaving Tandy with a squad of 28 to face Rassie Erasmus’ men next week.
10 of those 13 were involved in the matchday squad that went down 52-26 to New Zealand on Saturday – meaning there will be significant changes for next week.
As for the current squad, 11 of those 28 have yet to play a minute this autumn.
“I think we’ll call up a few,” said Tandy afterwards. “We’ll have to assess around injuries.
“They are world champions so we might have to get a few reinforcements in. We’ll chat as a coaching group and with the medical staff.
“Touch wood, everyone has pulled through alright. I’ve got to commend Harri (Deaves), Brodie (Coghlan) and Morgan (Morse).
“The All Blacks had around 800 caps there. We had 300, with three new caps. We’ve got to go through that period.
“Being 12th in the world, getting those boys the experience they need. Next week will be another chance to do that for other people.
“It’s just making sure we keep taking things out of games that can get us to where we want.”
Wales will also have to alter their training plan for next week.
Eleven of the 28 Welsh-based players in the squad have yet to play a minute this autumn.
As well as call-ups, another option would be to train against the U20s or a region, as Wales have done in the past. Tandy didn’t confirm whether they would do that, but did say they would lighten the training load this week.
“We’re looking into that,” he said. “We’ll definitely adapt the Tuesday.
“For the likes of Dewi (Lake), who have had a high volume, we’ll adapt the load. We’ve had some bruising games, which has been class for us.
“We’ve already spoken about the adaptation of the Monday. We’ll train Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The Wednesday might be a little lighter to save the legs going into Saturday.”
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