Wales captain Dewi Lake will miss the upcoming Test against South Africa due to a groin injury, marking a significant blow to the Welsh rugby union side ahead of their Nations Championship fixture.
The loss of Lake represents a notable moment for Wales coach Steve Tandy, who has been without the influential hooker for the first time since taking charge of the national team last year. Lake’s absence forces a reshuffle in the Welsh setup, with Ryan Elias expected to start at hooker in his place.
Leadership change for final test
In addition to the positional adjustment, Jac Morgan will take over as captain for what has been described as the final game of the season. Morgan’s elevation to the captaincy comes as Wales adapts to life without Lake’s leadership on the field during this crucial international encounter.
The injury to Lake and the resulting captaincy change underscore the challenges facing Wales as they prepare to face the Springboks in what represents a significant test of their depth and resilience in the back row and leadership group.