Share

Wales to stage trial for Bok tour

London - The Welsh Rugby Union have revealed on Thursday that they will stage their first full trial match in 14 years ahead of next month's two-Test South Africa tour.

Rob Howley will coach the Probables, with his fellow Wales assistant Robin McBryde in charge of the Possibles for a game that will take place at Swansea's Liberty Stadium on May 30.

Howley's coaching team will include Shaun Edwards and current Scarlets forwards specialist Danny Wilson, with McBryde being joined by Neil Jenkins and Dale McIntosh.

Both groups will prepare separately.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland will then announce a 31-man South Africa tour squad during his post-match press conference immediately following the trial.

The Probables and Possibles squads, meanwhile, will be unveiled next Tuesday, with Wales facing South Africa in Durban on June 14, and then Nelspruit seven days later.

"It's great that we are able to resurrect the famous Wales trial," Gatland said.

"It's a good opportunity for the players, but it's also important for us in our short-term as well as long-term preparation.

"The trial will enable us to work with the extended squad and see those players in our environment as preparations ramp up for next year's World Cup.

"It's a chance for players to experience the set-up and round off a week's training with us in a meaningful match and hopefully put their hand up for this summer's tour.

"The tour itself is going to be extremely tough, and the game will be important in ensuring we don't head into it cold.

"The Springboks are immersed in Super Rugby right up to the tour, and then have a game against a World XV the week before the first Test, so they certainly won't be undercooked."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
50% - 8 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
50% - 8 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE