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Bath Rugby flanker Francois Louw retained in South Africa side for second Wales Test

Francois Louw has retained his place in the South Africa team for their second Test against Wales on Saturday.

Bath Rugby flanker Louw will start at openside for the clash in Nelspruit as the Springboks look to secure a 2-0 series win following last week's 38-16 victory.

Head coach Heyneke Meyer has made just two changes to the side that triumphed in Durban, with Tendai Mtawarira returning at loosehead prop and Flip van der Merwe coming into the second row.

Victor Matfield will become the most-capped Test player in the history of South African rugby when he captains the side this weekend. 

Matfield made his Test debut in 2001 and retired after the 2011 World Cup with 110 caps but returned to the game earlier this year.

Meyer said: "This is a fantastic accolade for Victor. He has been a terrific servant of the game in South Africa and has led his country with distinction since returning to the Green and Gold.

"When he returned to the game earlier this season, he set his goals on becoming a Springbok yet again and he's worked extremely hard to get there. I don't think anyone can doubt that he deserves his place in the team and he's also been a great interim captain, with Jean de Villiers out injured.

"I've always preferred to stick with a winning combination and the changes to the team were both part of our planning.

"Wales have had another week together and will be keen to lift their game on Saturday, but at the same time we were not happy with certain aspects of our game and we've worked hard to rectify that.

"This is their last match of the season, so we're expecting them to come out firing. But we also want to make a step up and ensure we keep on improving as the season progresses."

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Gurthro Steenkamp, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Wynand Olivier, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.

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Bath Rugby flanker Francois Louw retained in South Africa side for second Wales Test


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