Wales have named an unchanged side to the team that beat Argentina 24-18 on Tuesday for their crunch game against defending world champions South Africa at Newbury on Saturday (kick-off 6pm).
Grand Slam winners Wales must beat the young Boks to be guaranteed a place in the 1st – 4th play-offs, and that is what Chris Davey’s side is aiming for.
‘There are a number of different scenarios which could see us go through to the top four, but the best would be to beat South Africa and finish top of our Pool,’ said the Wales coach.
‘If we don’t win, we could go through by picking up bonus points or by waiting on Ireland’s result in their game against Argentina, which takes place at the same time as our match.
‘But we would like to beat South Africa and go through by right.
‘South Africa are one of the best teams in the competition at the moment, they clocked up 100 points in their last run-out. But we have gone through the tapes, and found their strengths and some weaknesses too so we are pretty optimistic.
‘There is a fantastic spirit in the squad at the moment, the players are showing a great attitude and they can’t wait to get out there and test their wits against South Africa’.
Wales Under 21(v South Africa):
Gareth Swales (Swansea); Jonnathan Vaughton (Cardiff), David Bishop (Bridgend), Scott Williams (Newport), Matthew Nuttall (Pontypridd); Nicky Robinson (Cardiff), Ricky Richards (Neath); Paul James (Neath, captain), T R Thomas (Newport) Rhys Thomas (Newport), Bryn Griffiths (Llanelli), Luke Charteris (Newport), Mark Lewis (Pontypridd), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff), James Malpas (Cardiff).
Replacements: Lee May (Swansea), Kieran Crawford (Ebbw Vale), Chris Stamatakis (Cardiff), Ioan Cunningham (Llanelli), Alyn Lake (Bridgend), Michael Hook (Newport), Nathan Brew (Newport).
