Wales v South Africa

Wales and Springboks without stars for Cardiff clash

ESPN Staff

JP Pietersen is one of the players South Africa will be without against Wales © Getty Images Enlarge

Both South Africa and Wales head to Cardiff for this weekend's test match without some of their stars due to players' club commitments as the match falls outside World Rugby's test window.

The entire South African back three that beat Italy in Padova on Saturday will be absent, with Bryan Habana returning to Toulon, full-back Johan Goosen to Racing Metro and JP Pietersen heading back to Japan with White Knights. Prop Guthro Steenkamp also returns to Toulon and flanker Schalk Burger to Japan, while tighthead Jannie du Plessis misses out injured.

Wales will also be missing their England-based players, with the exception of Northampton wing George North, who has international release negotiated in his contract. All Wales' France-based players, including Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny and Jamie Roberts, will be available.

Gloucester hooker Richard Hibbard and fly-half James Hook are unavailable, along with Bath loose-head Paul James and Wasps lock Bradley Davies.

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