It is a measure of the faith Warren Gatland has in his revitalised Wales that they will go into an autumn international against a tier-one nation without the goal-kicking security of Leigh Halfpenny or Dan Biggar in the starting XV for the first time since 2010 when they face South Africa on Saturday.
Halfpenny has been ruled out by concussion and replaced by Liam Williams in the only change from the side that defeated Australia two weeks ago. Biggar is on the bench, with Gareth Anscombe starting at fly-half and assuming the kicking responsibility, with no back-up in the starting side.
Wales, who will wear rainbow laces in support of their former captain Gareth Thomas after he was the victim of a homophobic assault last weekend, are seeking their ninth consecutive win. Having had to wait 93 years for their first victory over South Africa, in 1999, they are aiming for their second this year and fourth in succession as they look to consolidate their position of third in the world and record a first clean sweep in the autumn.
Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies; Nicky Smith, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty
Replacements Elliot Dee, Rob Evans, Dillon Lewis, Cory Hill, Ellis Jenkins, Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin
“We had a number of tough selection calls but that is what you want,” Gatland said. “There are some very disappointed players who miss out as we look to end the campaign with a big performance against a very good South Africa side.
“The players are fully aware they can do something special and I have not seen this level of maturity in a squad. Our composure in games has been outstanding and we want to take this momentum into the Six Nations. It will be like a cup tie: winner takes all.”
Anscombe has been preferred to Biggar because his attacking game is more varied. In the past year, Wales have been reliant on goal-kicking against the major southern hemisphere sides but, even though Biggar came off the bench to kick the winning penalty against Australia in a match that lacked a try, their outlook is now broader.
“Anscombe is a top fly-half who is also a good goal-kicker as he has shown for Cardiff Blues in Europe,” said Rassie Erasmus, who goes again with the South Africa side that started against Scotland. The second-row Eben Etzebeth is restored to the bench.
“We know how tough Wales will be because they have won their last eight Test matches and developed strength in depth,” the Springboks head coach said. “Beating a team like that would help with our confidence and, while we have named an unchanged side, other players will come into contention for the World Cup.”
