Williams out of Bok Test

Cardiff - Wales wing Shane Williams will miss his country's Tests against South Africa and New Zealand due to a shoulder injury.

Williams was left out of Warren Gatland's side to face the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday as a result of the problem, so Leigh Halfpenny returns to the starting line-up.

The absence of the Ospreys star - who is Wales' record try scorer with 51 to his name - is one of three changes from the team which beat Italy in their final Six Nations' match.

The other changes come in the pack, with Cardiff Blues lock Deiniol Jones beating off Alun Wyn Jones to replace the injured Luke Charteris, while Ospreys prop Paul James replaces Gethin Jenkins, who is another injury absentee.

The major surprise comes with the selection of James Hook alongside Jamie Roberts in the centre, the Ospreys back having put off shoulder surgery to turn out against the Springboks.

Hook had been due to have a shoulder operation but asked Gatland if he could be involved in the clash with the world champions before going under the knife, although he will still miss the trip to New Zealand to undergo the required surgery.

"James is desperate to play and it just shows how much it means to him to put that red jersey on," Gatland said.

"We are obviously delighted to have him and would particularly like to thank Scott Johnson and Andrew Hore at the Ospreys who have helped to make it possible.

"You only have to look at the man of the match and player of the year awards James has been picking up to see what a great asset he is to any team and we will be facing the world champions a stronger team because of his involvement.

"We are very much looking forward to the challenge of facing the number one team in the world at the Millennium Stadium in the glorious summer sunshine in front of our home crowd on Saturday."

There is also a place on the bench for Andy Powell, recalled after pleading guilty to driving a golf buggy while over the drink-drive limit the morning after Wales' victory over Scotland in February.

Wales team to play South Africa (15-1):

Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Tom Prydie; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Ryan Jones (capt), Sam Warburton, Jonathan Thomas; Bradley Davies, Deiniol Jones; Adam Jones, Matthew Rees, Paul James

Replacement: Huw Bennett, John Yapp, Alun Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Richie Rees, Dan Biggar, Andrew Bishop