Super Siya & Mighty Marx back to boost Boks

Siya Kolisi and Malcolm Marx, among South Africa’s two best forwards all year, will lead the Springboks’ challenge against Wales in Cardiff. There is also finally a start for Bulls utility back Warrick Gelant.

Kolisi was unavailable for last weekend’s win against Italy and injury ensured Marx’s absence against Italy. Gelant will play on the left wing, with Courtnall Skosan dropping out of the match 23. Skosan previously had started every Test for the Springboks in 2017.

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee had five changes to the starting XV that beat Italy but four of those changes were expected because of player availability and also because of the unavailability of players like Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen.

Coetzee again has picked just three black players to start and loaded the bench with black players.

South Africa’s in-form 2017 midfielder Lukhanyo Am finally gets a first match day squad call-up but Rudi Paige drops out of the match 23, despite minimal Test match game time.

Louis Schreuder, like Am, is among the substitutes for the first time on tour.

Eben Etzebeth will captain the Springbok team for the 11^th time this season, playing in his 67 international match for South Africa.

South Africa

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Warrick Gelant, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Oupa Mohoje 20 Uzair Cassiem, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Lukhanyo Am

Wales

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Hallam Amos, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Aled Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Cory Hill, 3 Scott Andrews, 2 Kristian Dacey, 1 Rob Evans

Substitutes: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Wyn Jones, 18. Rhodri Jones, 19 Seb Davies, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Owen Watkin