Wales’ Deputies Ready to Rise: New Faces Backed to Step Up Against the Springboks

Wales’ Deputies Backed as Springboks Clash Looms Large in Cardiff

The Autumn Nations Series often delivers its fair share of drama, but for Wales, this final November fixture feels like one of those moments that could define the next stretch of their journey. A meeting with South Africa under the roof of the Principality Stadium is daunting at the best of times; doing so without a dozen front-line players and a host of experienced figures makes the challenge all the more intimidating.

Yet inside the Wales camp, there is no hint of resignation or defeatism. In fact, there is something else—something almost old-school Welsh—brewing. A sense that opportunities are there for the taking, and that deputies, youngsters, and returning faces can prove their worth against the world’s most ferocious rugby machine.

Joe Hawkins embodies that feeling better than anyone.

A year ago, he was effectively exiled from Test rugby, caught out by the Welsh Rugby Union’s selection rules after moving to Exeter. Last week, he wasn’t just back; he was thrown into the cauldron against the All Blacks and managed to look right at home.

Now he’s one of the men being asked to anchor a side missing more than a dozen key contributors. And Hawkins, calm as ever, isn’t blinking.

“You’ve always got to be ready,” he said with the easy assurance of someone who has lived through Test rugby’s highs and lows. “A chance can always come earlier, sometimes because of injuries. The boys have been training hard and I’m pretty confident anyone who comes in next weekend can do a good job.”

Those words will matter, because Wales will need every ounce of belief they can muster on Saturday.

Deputies Thrown Into the Spotlight

South Africa celebrate Cobus Reinach’s try in their win against Ireland in Dublin

With the money-raising match scheduled outside World Rugby’s official Test window, Wales are without their England-based contingent — 12 players shipped back to their club duties before they could even settle into post-All Blacks recovery. Add to that the absence of Montpellier lock Adam Beard, and it means Steve Tandy is effectively rebuilding his matchday squad from the inside out.

The combination is brutal: world champions coming to town, a patched-together XV, and a coaching staff juggling combinations on fast-moving ground.

But in Cardiff, that kind of adversity often produces something more interesting than the expected. Tandy’s side showed glimmers of that spirit in the 52–26 loss to New Zealand. Yes, the scoreline stretched, but the performance was far from lifeless. It had energy, ambition, and even moments of sharpness that suggested Wales’ rebuild isn’t as bleak as critics insist.

Hawkins was at the heart of that. When he replaced Ben Thomas, he brought maturity and calm—qualities that stood out even in defeat. It was his first cap since 2023, a return made possible only by his switch from Exeter to the Scarlets, and the relief was obvious.

“It was class to be back in that atmosphere,” he said. “And I couldn’t have picked a better one to come back in than the All Blacks and facing the haka. I’ve probably enjoyed it more this time around because when you go without something, you realise how much you miss it.”

That candidness comes from experience. Hawkins’ Test career was effectively halted when he made the move to the Premiership from the Ospreys without the required cap tally under the WRU’s selection policy. Now, re-established and hungry, he is one of the figures the squad will lean on against South Africa.

Springboks Bring Their Brutality — and Something New

Facing the Springboks is rugby’s version of fighting gravity. You can push, shove, scrap, and innovate all you like, but eventually, the force comes down hard.

South Africa arrive as world champions, winners of the Rugby Championship, and fresh from autumn victories against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland. They are number one in the world because they’ve mastered a formula that has beaten everyone from bruisers to tacticians.

But in Hawkins’ eyes, the Springboks have evolved beyond the stereotype.

“Everyone has seen with South Africa that historically they are physical and they overpower teams,” he said. “But it seems over the last couple of years they’ve added a bit of attacking flair to their game. You’re not just trying to stop them up front now — you’ve got to deal with the threats behind too.”

That change is part of what makes the challenge simultaneously daunting and enticing. This isn’t just a test of courage against a brutal pack; it’s a full-spectrum examination of defensive organisation, decision-making, and pace.

And somehow, that excites the Wales players rather than intimidating them.

A Tough Journey, But One Worth Taking

If you step back and look at the bigger picture, Wales are in the middle of a rebuilding phase. The years of relying on hardened, experienced campaigners have come to an end. Injuries, retirements, and selection limitations have forced new faces into the spotlight.

But this weekend isn’t about excuses — it’s about appetite.

“For us, the journey we’re on is super exciting,” Hawkins said. “Being able to go out and compete against a team like that… it’s exactly the sort of test you want.”

That line captures the mood surrounding the squad this week. They know what’s coming. They know how violent, how relentless, how structured South Africa can be. They also know that very few people expect them to come out on top.

But in Welsh rugby, especially in Cardiff, expectation has never been the whole story.

Sometimes it’s about who takes their chance. Sometimes it’s about who refuses to be overwhelmed. Sometimes it’s about who can write their name into the conversation simply by standing tall when the challenge is biggest.

On Saturday, those opportunities will be everywhere. And Wales’ deputies — from Hawkins to the bench players yet to be handed their jersey — know exactly what this moment could mean.