Dragons hooker Elliot Dee was called up as cover for Lake, who Wales confirm has completed two training sessions without issue.

At 27, Lake looks set to maintain his unique record as the only Wales player to start every Test under Tandy.

After the 39-24 victory over Fiji, Rees-Zammit and Edwards lost their places in the starting XV against Argentina to Scarlets pair Ellis Mee and Sam Costelow, both of whom have now been left out of the squad for South Africa.

Durban will see a new centre partnership with Cardiff's Thomas linking up alongside Llewellyn.

Eddie James drops out of the squad altogether, while Hawkins moves to the bench where he covers fly-half and the wider backline.

Ospreys scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams replaces teammate Kieran Hardy among the replacements.

Mann returns at blind-side flanker next to Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright after missing the Argentina match.

Reffell is in line for his first international appearance in a year and his first under Tandy after missing the previous two campaigns.

"We've made some changes to the starting side," said Tandy. "It's coming to the end of the season and we've had a big bit of travel. Some boys deserve an opportunity and it's a chance to freshen up the team."

Cardiff lock Williams, who will partner Adam Beard, earns his first Test start in twelve months.

Without Carter, Wales face the Springboks missing the lock combination from the end of the Six Nations, with Exeter captain Dafydd Jenkins absent from the summer tour following shoulder surgery.

Carter had forced his way into the starting line-up for the final three Six Nations games and stayed in the side for the uncapped match against the Barbarians plus the Nations Championship fixtures against Fiji and Argentina.

The absence of the 21-cap Dragons forward stretches second-row resources even further.

Flanker Plumtree covered the second row against Fiji, and Thomas was summoned to South Africa as cover before earning a place in the 23-man squad.

Wales finish their season against a Springboks side that defeated Tandy's team 73-0 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff in November 2025.

Wales have recorded three wins and eight losses in Tandy's first season, with one victory and one defeat in the Nations Championship so far.

"South Africa are world champions and have loads of depth," said Tandy. "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. It's a great opportunity to test ourselves against the best team in the world."

South Africa: Fassi; Williams, Kriel, de Allende, Arendse; Moyo, Reinach; Steenekamp, Marx, Sadie, C Wiese, van Heerden, de Villiers, PS du Toit (capt), J Wiese

Replacements: Venter, Wessels, Louw, Dixon, van Staden, Jantjies, Libbok, Willemse.

Wales: Murray; Rees-Zammit, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Adams; Edwards, Tomos Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), D Lewis, Teddy Williams, Beard, Mann, J Morgan, Wainwright

Replacements: Elias, N Smith, Warren, F Thomas, Reffell, Botham, Morgan-Williams, Hawkins.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant Referees: Pierre Brousset (FFR) and James Doleman (NZRFU)

TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZRFU)