IN FOCUS: THE WALES TEAM FACING SOUTH AFRICA

A gruelling autumn series has taken its toll on Warren Gatland’s Wales squad with just eight survivors from the opening match against Australia starting against South Africa tomorrow.

Injuries have dictated much of Gatland’s selection for these four games, particularly in midfield and in the front row. There are five changes in all from the team that took the field against the All Blacks last weekend, three of them coming in the front five. Here, casts his eye over the starting XV to face the Boks... LEIGH HALFPENNY There has been a definite desire from Halfpenny to counter more from deep during this series and the Lion made decent yardage against the All Blacks.

With Liam Williams and Alex Cuthbert having returned to their clubs, back-three selection has taken care of itself for this game. HALLAM AMOS The Dragon has enjoyed a promising campaign, scoring tries against Australia and Georgia and carving open the New Zealand midfield to set up Scott Williams’s first-half try last weekend.

Amos will hope to deliver another eye-catching display against the Boks to give Gatland further options ahead of the Six Nations, when Liam Williams and George North should be back in the selection mix. SCOTT WILLIAMS The man in the headlines. A try on his 50th cap last weekend was followed by the announcement of a shock move across the Loughor to the Scarlets’ nearest and dearest yesterday,

Williams will have his third centre partner in as many games and it is a familiar one in Scarlets’ team-mate Hadleigh Parkes. HADLEIGH PARKES (pictured) Becomes the latest converted Kiwi to wear the three feathers. The 30-year-old has been Mr Consistent for the Scarlets in the last three years, providing a strong, assured midfield presence in a free-running back line.

With Owen Williams recalled by Gloucester, Parkes is preferred to Ospreys youngster Owen Watkin and opportunity knocks for the former Auckland skipper with the World Cup on the horizon. STEFF EVANS Has points to prove following his punishing trial by pace and power against the All Blacks wonder wings last weekend.

Evans’s defence, which has been a work-on during his burgeoning professional career, was ruthlessly exposed by Waisako Naholo and Rieko Ioane in Cardiff. It will be a test of the 23-year-old’s character as much as anything else. DAN BIGGAR There has been little of the traditional fly-half debate this autumn and that has been credit to Biggar’s steady form at the Wales tiller.

With Rhys Priestland back at Bath and Rhys Patchell having only just recovered from a niggling injury, Biggar at 10 was never a doubt. ALED DAVIES The big surprise. With Rhys Webb going through return-to-play protocols after being thumped to the ground by Sam Cane early on last weekend, it was thought that Gareth Davies would be the man to wear the No.9 jersey in his place if the Ospreys didn’t make it.

But Gatland has given a chance to Davies’ Scarlets’ team-mate Aled, who has looked lively on his brief appearances off the bench against Australia and Georgia. ROB EVANS Evans has been one of Wales’ stars of the series, shining against Australia and New Zealand with his impressive handling skills and tenacity in the loose.

There had been doubts over his availability after picking up a knock to his thigh last weekend, but has come through to give Wales a welcome front-row boost considering the casualty list elsewhere in the front five. KRISTIAN DACEY Ken Owens’ back issue sees him join a hefty list of injured Lions, with Sam Warburton, Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Liam Williams, George North and Jonathan Davies already on the sidelines.

Dacey comes in for his first start against a tier one nation, with Elliot Dee likely to get another taste of international action from the bench. SCOTT ANDREWS It’s been a case of last man standing at tight-head.

Samson Lee hasn’t featured at all during the series because of a worrying Achilles issue, Tomas Francis has hopped back across the Severn to Exeter, Leon Brown picked up a concussion against the All Blacks, so Andrews – who wasn’t even part of Gatland’s original squad – steps up for his 13th cap and his first Wales start in four years.

Will be pinching himself just a few months after being shipped out on loan to Bath from Cardiff Blues. CORY HILL Gatland labelled Hill the most improved player in the Wales squad at the start of the series.

The Dragons skipper, who started against Georgia and came off the bench against Australia and New Zealand, is drafted in to replace Jake Ball, who dislocated his shoulder against New Zealand and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. ALUN WYN JONES Jones’ task will be to galvanise a patched-up side that is clearly feeling the effects of another bruising campaign. Has maintained his lofty standards throughout, underlining his status as one of the best second rows in the game. AARON SHINGLER The Scarlet has put in a big shift this autumn, characterised by his line-speed in defence.

Has also been a reliable line-out target, but will hope to find a bit more room out wide to showcase the athletic running and handling that has been such a feature of his game for his region. JOSH NAVIDI Wales’ player of the autumn, the Cardiff Blues openside has snatched his chance in the international spotlight with real zest, answering those who suggested he didn’t pack the physical punch for the Test arena.

Gets another run-out in the seven jersey with Justin Tipuric ruled out of the series finale because of injury. TAULUPE FALETAU With so many key players absent, Gatland will be grateful to the clause in Faletau’s Bath contract that allows him to play in this game which takes place outside of World Rugby’s international window.

Hasn’t found his Lions form during this campaign and will be disappointed with a few uncharacteristic handling errors, but remains one of Wales’ go-to men. Reps: Eliott Dee, Wyn Jones, Rhodri Jones, Seb Davies, Dan Lydiate, Rhys Webb, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin.