Mass Boks changes stir response

South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber has denied it’s a gamble but his decision to change 19 of his 23 players and rest 14 Rugby World Cup winners for the second test against Wales tomorrow with a series still to play for has provoked strong reaction.

Wales captain Dan Biggar said ‘‘there’s nothing in it’’, but almost everywhere else, Nienaber’s decision to change 19 of his 23 players and rest so many World Cup winners for the international has stirred up a hornet’s nest.

Wales great Gareth Edwards told Welsh media the decision was disrespectful and could well backfire on the world champions, especially after the Springboks’ front-liners scraped home 32-29 in the first test with a lastsecond penalty .

South African media have expressed concern over a risky and ‘‘radical‘‘ team selection by Nienaber – he made 14 switches to his starting 15 – that might prove unforgivable if Wales catch out a Springboks team of fringe players and youngsters to snatch a first test win over the Boks on South African soil in Bloemfontein.

That would end a 58-year run of success at home over Wales for South Africa and leave the series 1-1 with a decider to play.

‘‘If there had been five or six changes, you would maybe have raised an eyebrow. But 14 changes, it’s overwhelming,’’ said Edwards, the former Wales and British and Irish Lions

halfback. ‘‘I don’t think it shows respect for Wales . . . It is a great opportunity [for Wales] to beat them and say, ‘Thank you very much for picking that team’.’’

Nienaber defended his wholesale changes by asserting the Springboks ‘‘picked a side we believe can beat Wales’’.

But that side is without regular captain Siya Kolisi, without the entire first-choice front row that’s considered the best in the world, without key lineout jumper Lood de Jager, and with a completely new backline from the opening test.