With British and Irish Lion Alex Cuthbert sidelined with an
ankle injury, the Ospreys winger has been given the nod in the left-wing
position.
Some had predicted that Liam Williams would be selected due
to the large Scarlets influence in the backline with Scott Williams and
Jonathan Davies lining up in the centres and Rhys Priestland being given the
number 10 jersey over Dan Bigger.
But Walker will make his first appearance for his country
against the Springboks and will be hoping to make a similar impression as the
other Wales winger on Saturday George North, who made his debut three years ago
against the same opposition and announced himself onto the international stage
by scoring twice in a magnificent performance.
Bradley Davies has been selected in the second row alongside
Alun Wyn Jones to give a physical presence against the likely aggressive South African
second row pairing of Flip van der Merwe and Eben Etzabeth.
Dan Lydiate will also make his first appearance in a Wales
jersey since the summer of 2012 in a familiar back-row with Toby Faletau and
captain Sam Warburton.
The match against South Africa is the first of four autumn
games at the Millennium Stadium and head coach Warren Gatland knows it is going
to be a huge encounter on Saturday.
"We always say we like to test ourselves against the
best and Saturday is going to be just that with a huge game against South
Africa first up,” said Gatland.
"The Springboks arrive in the UK off the back of their
impressive Rugby Championship campaign and we know that we need to start well
on Saturday.
"We go into the series as Six Nations Champions but we
are looking forward to testing ourselves against the southern hemisphere sides
and showing what we are can do.
"Since we have been together, competition in the squad
has been good and it is great to have both Rhys [Priestland] and Dan [Lydiate]
back available for us.
"Eli [Walker] has impressed for his Region and whilst
with us and it's a great opportunity for him to make his mark in a very
experienced side.”
Wales Team to play South Africa:
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues)
14. George North (Northampton Saints)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
12. Scott Williams (Scarlets)
11. Eli Walker (Ospreys)
10. Rhys Priestland (Scarlets)
9. Mike Phillips (Unattached)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues)
2. Richard Hibbard (Ospreys)
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys)
4. Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
6. Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro)
7. Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain)
8. Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Replacements:
16. Ken Owens (Scarlets)
17. Paul James (Bath Rugby)
18. Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues)
19. Luke Charteris (Perpignan)
20. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
21. Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues)
22. James Hook (Perpignan)
23. Liam Williams (Scarlets)
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