Victor Matfield to become South Africa's record cap holder

Stand-in captain Victor Matfield will become South Africa's record Test cap holder when he leads the side out on his 103rd appearance against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Feb 2019, 14:03 BST

The 33-year-old Bulls lock will surpass the previous best held by Percy Montgomery and injured skipper John Smit as part of a side that includes just one change from the line-up that defeated Ireland in Dublin last weekend.

Francois Steyn comes straight into the starting XV at centre at the expense of Zane Kirchner after joining up with the squad from Racing Metro yesterday.

He partners Jean de Villiers in midfield, with the former Munster man having trained yesterday despite concerns over a groin strain. The loose forward position on the bench has yet to be decided with Willem Alberts, struggling with a calf strain.

South Africa team: G Aplon; B Basson, F Steyn, J de Villiers, B Habana; M Steyn, R Pienaar; T Mtawarira, B du Plessis, J du Plessis, B Botha, V Matfield (capt), D Stegmann, J Smith, P Spies. Subs: C Ralepelle, CJ van der Linde, F van der Merwe, AN Other, F Hougaard, Z Kirchner, P Lambie.