Bevan to play at fly-half in Wales' WXV opener

Keira Bevan will switch half-back roles after being selected to play at 10 for Wales' WXV opener against South Africa in Cardiff on Friday.

The 29-year-old has been training at fly-half during pre-season and will partner Seren Lockwood.

Wales' regular 10, Lleucu George, is named among the replacements, while Kayleigh Powell is no longer an option having been ruled out of the campaign with a hamstring injury.

Head coach Sean Lynn has included three uncapped players in his matchday squad, with Amy Williams named on the wing having impressed in a two-try display in June's uncapped Barbarians fixture.

Front row forwards Elan Jones and Shanelle Williams are poised to win first caps from the bench.

Co-captains Alex Callender and Kate Williams will make a rare appearance together having overcome injuries, and are joined in the back row by Bryonie King.

Maisie Davies is given the nod ahead of Gwenllian Pyrs at loose-head prop, and packs downs in the front row with Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu.

Georgia Evans and Branwen Metcalfe are named as locks.

In a reshuffed back line, Lisa Neumann moves to full-back, with Seren Singleton named on the other wing.

Courtney Keight and Freya Bell form a new-look centre partnership with Carys Cox unavailable for selection.

There is no place in the matchday squad for the experienced Bethan Lewis and Hannah Dallavalle, who have both previously captained the side, while three-time Olympian Jasmine Joyce also misses out.

Lynn described his team selection as "exciting" and said the new half-back partnership had been "working very well".

"We know how much of a threat Seren was in the the Barbarians fixture and Keira has been very good in training," he said.

"When she (Bevan) played in the Bristol Bears game [at 10], she looked very comfortable there

"From being a nine, she's used to being the general and will boss that on and off the pitch and drive our attack as well."

Lynn says he is also excited by his back three, particularly Neumann at full-back.

"We've got to get Lisa Neumann with hands on ball, she is such a running threat," he added.

"She's been working on her backfield positioning and has got a pretty big boot as well, and if you're looking at the last line of defence, you don't get any more physical than Lisa Neumann."

South Africa make four changes to the starting line-up defeated 46-17 by New Zealand a fortnight ago as they seek to build depth with the 2029 World Cup in mind.

Felicia Jacobs comes in at scrum-half and Maria Tshiremba on the wing with Maceala Samboya at outside centre as their WXV campaign kicks off.

Logan Welman starts at number eight while Sinelitha Noxeke's status as a utility forward has given the Springboks the chance to opt for a 6-2 bench split.

Co-coach Franzel September said: "We are well under way towards the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup, not only in our planning, but also giving players experience at the highest level, something that this WXV Global Series will provide.

"This opening weekend is important for us, as we need to set the tone for the remaining two matches."

Wales: Neumann; Singleton, Keight, Bell, A Williams; Bevan, Lockwood; Davies, K Jones, Tuipulotu, B Metcalfe, Evans, K Williams (co-capt), Callender (co-capt), King.

Replacements: S Williams, G Pyrs, E Jones, Crabb, Aiono, A Joyce, George, De Vera.

South Africa: Dolf; Tshiremba, Samboya, Ngwevu, Malinga; Van Rensburg, Felicia Jacobs; Charlie, Gwala, Latsha, Ubisi, Lochner, Solontsi, Catha Jacobs, Welman.

Replacements: Gunter, Khuzwayo, Mdliki, Mokwai, Hele, Noxeke, Cilliers, Mokone.