Wales hopeful Aaron Wainwright fit to face South Africa in Cardiff
Wales aim to welcome back Aaron Wainwright as they prepare to host world champions South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series at the Principality Stadium.
Autumn Nations Series:Wales v South Africa
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 29 November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT
Coverage: Commentary on INLIBER Sounds, INLIBER Radio Wales, INLIBER Radio Cymru and live text on INLIBER Sport online.
Wales are hopeful that back-row forward Aaron Wainwright will be available to face the World Cup champions, South Africa, at the Principality Stadium next weekend. Wainwright, who has earned 61 Wales caps, was ruled out of the 52-26 loss to New Zealand with a hip injury. Taine Plumtree started in his place and picked up a second-half yellow card against the All Blacks.
Head coach Steve Tandy said Wainwright was moving well in training and the team are hopeful he will be fit to play the Springboks, who beat Ireland 24-13 in their last outing. “He was moving well yesterday and we’re hopeful,” Tandy explained. “We were hopeful for this weekend but it didn’t settle down.”
Missing players for daunting South Africa test
For the match with South Africa, Wales will be without 13 players who regularly play club rugby in England and France. The WRU’s scheduling outside the World Rugby international window means non-Welsh-based players aren’t released for this fixture.
The clash coincides with United Rugby Championship fixtures, with Wales’ four professional regions in action across the round. Wales currently have 28 players remaining in the squad for the test, and Tandy said reinforcements could be brought in as injuries are assessed.
“We’ll call up a few, and we’ll have to see who becomes available,” he said. “They are world champions, so we may need some extra help. We’ll discuss with the medical team and the rest of the coaching group. Touch wood, everyone has pulled through ok.”
Flanker Harri Deaves earned his first Wales start against New Zealand, while Ospreys back-rower Morgan Morse and Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan also made their Test debuts from the bench in the defeat.
Tandy contrasted the two sides’ experience, noting the heavy workload carried by the All Blacks and the need for Wales to accelerate the development of their next generation. “New Zealand carried around 800 caps in their starting XV, we had about 300, with three new caps,” he said. “We’re in a period of growth, ranked 11th in the world, and we’re giving these players the exposure they need. Next week will offer another chance to learn.”
Pride in defeat but discipline concerns
Despite four tries — Wales’s best total against the All Blacks in Cardiff in decades — and posting their highest score against New Zealand in this fixture, Wales suffered a 34th consecutive defeat to the All Blacks since 1953.
Tandy praised the team’s spirit and the attacking execution but acknowledged room for improvement. “There is plenty to be proud of and plenty we want to build on. The tries were excellent, and the crew worked hard,” he said. “The scoreboard isn’t where we want to be, but the squad’s effort is exactly what you want to see.”
Discipline remains a concern, with yellow cards for replacement prop Gareth Thomas and Taine Plumtree interrupting pressure. “A couple of yellow cards don’t help the build-up, and some calls went against us in key moments,” added Tandy. “We’ve got to tighten the penalty count and be sharper from kick-offs, especially after scoring.”
Wales will rely on Aaron Wainwright’s return and a swift call on squad depth as they brace for a South Africa test; discipline and execution under pressure will shape their chances. Source: BBC Sport
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