Wales have been dealt a significant setback ahead of their clash with the Springboks, as experienced lock Adam Beard has been ruled out due to a knee injury.
Beard, who has 58 Test caps and played against the Springboks during the 2021 British & Irish Lions series, sustained the injury just seven minutes into last weekend’s record defeat to Australia.
The Ospreys second-rower has been released from the squad and will not feature in the final match of the autumn campaign.
This news compounds Wales’ second-row crisis, with Beard joining Ben Carter on the sidelines after Carter suffered a knee injury earlier in the series. Cardiff lock Teddy Williams, who was called up earlier in the campaign, remains the only cover in the squad.
For Warren Gatland, the loss of Beard—one of the team’s most experienced players—is a massive blow to a squad that is already reeling from a record-breaking 11 consecutive defeats in 2024.
With scrumhalf Tomos Williams and wing Mason Grady also unavailable, Gatland’s options are limited as Wales look to salvage some pride in a campaign to forget.
Wales’ latest squad:
Forwards: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Teddy Williams, Will Rowlands, Taine Plumtree, James Botham, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.
Backs: Kieran Hardy, Rhodri Williams, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow, Gareth Anscombe, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Max Llewellyn, Eddie James, Owen Watkin, Blair Murray, Rio Dyer, Josh Hathaway, Tom Rogers, Cameron Winnett.
Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
