Wales’ Adam Beard Ruled Out of South Africa Autumn Finale

Wales will be without Adam Beard, the most experienced member of their autumn squad, for the upcoming match against South Africa. Beard earned his 58th Wales cap in the recent fixture against Australia. The Autumn Nations Series game between Wales and South Africa is scheduled for Saturday, 23 November, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with a kick-off time of 17:40 GMT. Live coverage will be available on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, and through live text and commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. The Ospreys second row has been withdrawn from the squad for the final autumn series encounter due to a knee injury. This injury was sustained just seven minutes into last weekend’s defeat by Australia. Beard’s absence marks the second lock Wales has lost this month; Ben Carter also suffered a knee injury during training at the beginning of the campaign. Head coach Warren Gatland has opted not to replace the 58-cap Beard, who previously faced the Springboks as part of the British & Irish Lions in 2021. Cardiff’s Teddy Williams had already been called into the squad earlier. This presents a further challenge for Gatland and Wales, who are already missing scrum-half Tomos Williams and wing Mason Grady, as they aim to conclude their 11-Test losing streak. The current squad members are: Forwards: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Teddy Williams, Will Rowlands, Taine Plumtree, James Botham, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright. Backs: Kieran Hardy, Rhodri Williams, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow, Gareth Anscombe, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Max Llewellyn, Eddie James, Owen Watkin, Blair Murray, Rio Dyer, Josh Hathaway, Tom Rogers, Cameron Winnett.