Five Cardiff stars have been named in the Wales team to face World Champions South Africa in round three of the Nations Championship on Saturday.

Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Ben Thomas and Josh Adams all start at HollywoodBets Kings Park, Durban, with Thomas gaining his first minutes of the competition, and James Botham named on the bench.

There are six changes to the starting XV from round two, with an impressive 10 Cardiff Rugby pathway products included in the 23. 

Williams makes his first start of the Nations Championship alongside Adam Beard in the second row. 

In the back row Mann is named at blindside flanker, with Jac Morgan at openside flanker and Aaron Wainwright at No. 8.

Dan Edwards is selected at fly half with Tomos Williams at scrum half. Thomas, named at inside centre, makes his first appearance in the Nations Championship. Max Llewellyn joins Thomas in a familiar former Blue & Black partnership.

Louis Rees-Zammit and Adams start on the wings and Blair Murray continues at fullback.

There is a six two split on the Wales bench. Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith and Ben Warren are the front row replacements. Freddie Thomas is covering the second row, with Tommy Reffell and Botham the back row cover. Reuben Morgan-Williams and Joe Hawkins are the replacement backs.

Tandy said: “We’ve made some changes to the starting XV. It’s coming to the end of the season; we’ve had a big bit of travel. Some boys deserve an opportunity and it’s a chance to freshen up the team.

“South Africa are world champions. They have loads of depth. For us, it’s about putting our game out there. We want to see a real physical edge. We’re going up against probably the most physical team in the world. So we know we’re going to have to really step up the physicality. It’s a great opportunity to test ourselves against the best team in the world.

15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 18 caps) 
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears | Bryste – 42 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby | Caerloyw – 12 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 18 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 72 caps)
10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys | Gweilch – 12 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Saracens | Saraseniaid – 74 caps)
1. Rhys Carre (Saracens | Saraseniaid – 30 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Captain, Gloucester Rugby | Caerloyw – 33 caps) 
3. Dillon Lewis (Dragons | Dreigiau – 59 caps) 
4. Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 9 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Montpellier – 67 caps)
6. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 17 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Gloucester Rugby | Caerloyw – 26 caps) 
8. Aaron Wainwright (Leicester Tigers | Caerlŷr – 69 caps)

Replacements
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 50 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Sale Sharks – 65 caps)
18. Ben Warren (Ospreys | Gweilch – 2 caps)
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby | Caerloyw – 8 caps)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers | Caerlŷr – 29 caps)
21. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 23 caps)
22. Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys | Gweilch – 2 caps)
23. Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 12 caps)