Wales were struck with a double blow after two of their most experienced players - flyhalf Dan Biggar and fullback Liam Williams had to withdraw with injury concerns.
While it isn’t expected that the concerns are enough to keep them out of the World Cup, coach Warren Gatland has played it safe and withdrawn both as a precaution, taking away a massive amount of experience from his side.
Biggar has a “back irritation” and Williams a “tight hamstring”, according to a release from the Welsh camp ahead of Saturday’s match against the Springboks.
Sam Costelow will start now at flyhalf while Cai Evans will make his debut at fullback on Saturday in the match. Tom Rogers has been called up onto the bench as cover.
Gatland did play down fears on the duo.
“It’s not serious at all, hey could both play on Saturday but the decision was made and there's no point in us taking the risk at this stage. I see it as a positive .It's dealing with things that are going to be thrown at you,” he said.
Gatland did get some good news on captain Dewi Lake and Taine Plumtree, both who are big injury concerns for Wales going into the World Cup.
“Dewi is talking to the medics today, has a little bit of a knee issue but we’re confident he’ll be fit. Taine is the same, same prognosis in terms of being available for the first or second game,” he said on the injured duo.
Gatland added that they had put Bradley Roberts on standby because of their hooker injuries, but won’t be calling up another 10.
“We had Bradley Roberts in today. Called him in as cover for the weekend potentially and to give us a bit of depth,” he explained.
“We’ve got four 10s. If this was a World Cup semifinal Dan Biggar would have been fine.We’re just taking the precaution. No need for us to take a risk with him and it gives Sam another opportunity.”
