By Paul Jones

Ellis Jenkins will make his first Wales appearance for three years in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series game against world champions South Africa.

The Cardiff flanker suffered a serious knee injury during Wales’ 2018 autumn victory over the Springboks and was sidelined from all rugby for 26 months, but he now returns to Test action in one of six changes from last weekend’s 54-16 defeat to New Zealand.

Jenkins replaces shoulder injury victim Ross Moriarty, while Will Rowlands takes over from skipper Alun Wyn Jones in the second row.

Like Moriarty, Jones faces shoulder surgery and a lengthy period out after being hurt during the All Blacks clash, and there are also starts for Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Dan Biggar and Rhys Carre, with centre Jonathan Davies captaining the team.

Whatever the outcome v @Springboks, it’s great to see @EllisJenkins_ back in the shirt. God knows what he must have been through the last two years. So good before his injury I thought the next time he played them it would be for the @lionsofficial #WRU

— Gareth Crossman 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@garethcrossman) November 4, 2021

Scrum half Tomos Williams remains at scrum half while the experienced fly half Dan Biggar, making his 93rd international appearance, returns to the starting line-up after a summer touring with the British & Irish Lions.

Saracens centre Nick Tompkins partners up in midfield with captain Jonathan Davies, with Louis Rees-Zammit linking up in the back three with fellow winger Josh Adams and fullback Johnny McNicholl.

The replacements include two debutants, hooker Bradley Roberts and tighthead prop WillGriff John, who will be looking to win their first international caps on Saturday.

Fullback Liam Williams has made a return to fitness, after undergoing an appendectomy, and will take part in his first game of rugby since the last British & Irish Test, against South Africa, back in August.

“South Africa coming to town, as World Champions, offers a different challenge to New Zealand. They’ve got a massive forward pack, they’re big across the park really, and they bring a huge aerial threat so it’s going to be a different challenge,” said head coach Wayne Pivac.

“It’s a big test match and we need to get what we think is the best side out there. We’re looking forward to having this side out there on the weekend and it’ll be really interesting to see how we go.

“There’s a lot of experience gone from the pack now and with what’s coming in terms of the South African pack, with their experience, it’s going to be a massive challenge for our boys and it’ll be interesting to see who steps up.

“Field position in this game is going to be massive, with the scrum that’s coming and line out drive, so we have to make sure we’re smart in how we play the game.

Wales team to face South Africa, at Principality Stadium, on Saturday 6th November 2021 

15 Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets)

14 Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby)

13 Jonathan Davies (Scarlets – Capt)

12 Nick Tompkins (Saracens)

11 Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby)

10 Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints)

9 Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby);

1 Rhys Carré (Cardiff Rugby)

2 Ryan Elias (Scarlets)

3 Tomas Francis (Ospreys)

4 Will Rowlands (Dragons)

5 Adam Beard (Ospreys)

6 Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Rugby)

7 Taine Basham (Dragons)

8 Aaron Wainwright (Dragons)

Replacements: 

16 Bradley Roberts (Ulster – uncapped)

17 Wyn Jones (Scarlets)

18 WillGriff John (Scarlets – uncapped)

19 Ben Carter (Dragons)

20 Seb Davies (Cardiff Rugby)

21 Gareth Davies (Scarlets)

22 Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys)

23 Liam Williams (Scarlets)