South Africa make 11 changes for deciding Test against Wales

South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has made wholesome changes for the third and deciding Test against Wales to be played in Cape Town on Saturday.

Following their 12-13 defeat in Bloemfontein, Nienaber has recalled eight out of his World Cup winners with Siya Kolisi back to leading the side and is joined by Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese in a revamped back row.

Cheslin Kolbe starts at right wing while Makazole Mapimpi returns at left while Damian Willemse, who played a pivotal role in the win in the first Test starts at fullback.

With Andre Esterhuizen ruled out due to a shoulder injury, Lukhanyo Am and Damian de Allende form midfield partnership while Handre Pollard, Jaden Hendrikse, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph Du Toit are the only players to have retain their places from the second Test.

Etzebeth will become the seventh South African player and the youngest to play 100 Tests while Bongi Mbonambi will feature in his 50th Test.

“We selected a team and player combinations that we think will be the best for this specific game,” said Nienaber.

“We had an honest discussion with the players telling them what we require from them this weekend and what we would like to see in terms of their performance and hopefully they can produce the goods and we can get the desired result.

“We have high standards as a team, and we would like to maintain that and build momentum with a challenging season lying ahead.”

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Trevor Nyakane

Reserves: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Elrigh Louw, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux