Wales in experimental mode

Rugby Union

The Welsh selectors are to field an experimental side for the opening match of their mini-tour of South Africa in Witbank on Saturday.

With most of the 24-man squad likely to get a run against Roodeport in a training match today, the coach, Alex Evans, has opted to leave out both the former captain, Ieuan Evans, and the new skipper, Jonathan Humphreys, for the game against South Eastern Transvaal.

The team will be captained by the Pontypridd scrum-half, Paul John, who led Wales A against South Africa in Newport last year. The Swansea stand- off, Aled Williams, bids for the No 10 jersey in the side to face the Springboks on Saturday week.

WALES (v South Eastern Transvaal, at Witbank, on Saturday): J Thomas; A Harries, M Taylor, G Jones, S Hill; A Williams, P John (capt); C Wyatt, M Bennett, A Gibbs, P Arnold, D Jones, L Mustoe, G Jenkins, A Lewis.