Debut for Williams as North moves to centre

WING George North was named at centre with Ellis Jenkins captaining Wales for the first time in last night’s Test match against South Africa.

Ospreys-bound North’s previous centre outings for Wales were against France four years ago and against Australia in 2014 and 2015.

Head coach Warren Gatland, who has rested almost all the Wales players that were on British and Irish Lions duty in New Zealand last summer, gave a first cap to Cardiff Blues scrumhalf Tomos Williams.

Flanker Jenkins, meanwhile, led the Blues to European Challenge Cup final success earlier this month, and was named Wales' tour co-captain with Dragons lock Cory Hill.

South Africa named seven debutants in their starting XV. Travis Ismaiel, Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen, Ivan van Zyl, Kwagga Smith, Jason Jenkins and Ox Nche will win their first caps.

Lock Pieter-Steph du Toit captains a starting Springbok team that has an average age of 24, containing 134 caps.

Six of the replacements are also in line for their debut: Akker van der Merwe (hooker), Thomas du Toit (prop), Marvin Orie (lock), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (back row), Embrose Papier (scrum-half) and Robert du Preez (fly-half).

Flanker Smith is an Olympic Sevens bronze medallist, while former Cheetahs wing Mapimpi was the top try scorer in the Pro14 before leaving for the Sharks halfway through the season.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said: “Wales have a very solid and effective kicking strategy and their cohesive forward and set-piece play are some of their main strong points. However, I do believe that we have picked a match-day squad that will be able to compete very strongly.”

WALES: Amos; Prydie, North, Watkin, Evans; Anscombe, Williams; Smith, Dee, Lewis; Hill, B Davies; S Davies, Jenkins (c), Moriarty. Replacements: Elias, W Jones, R Jones, Beard, Wainwright, A Davies, Patchell/G Davies, Parkes

SOUTH AFRICA: Bosch; Ismaiel, Kriel, Esterhuizen, Mapimpi; Jantjies, van Zyl; Nche, Ralepelle, Louw, Jenkins, du Toit (c), Smith, Mohoje, du Preez

Replacements: van der Merwe, Steven Kitshoff, Thomas du Toit, Marvin Orie, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Embrose Papier, Robert du Preez, Warrick Gelant