Japan coach Eddie Jones has named a strong, hard-running South African to shore up his youthful backline as the Brave Blossoms get ready to face Wales

Japan coach Eddie Jones has named a strong, hard-running South African to shore up his youthful backline as the Brave Blossoms get ready to face Wales.

South African-born Dylan Riley will start at outside centre in Saturday’s clash in Kitakyushu.

Riley has grown into a key figure for Japan since making his debut in 2021 and has become a regular under Jones’ mentorship. The 27-year-old, born in Durban and schooled at The Southport School in Australia, will partner Shogo Nakano in the midfield.

Japan will fancy their chances against a Welsh team in crisis. Wales arrive in Japan off the back of a record 17 straight losses, which is the worst run for a Tier One nation in the professional era.

Aname to watch is 1.67m wing Kippei Ishida, who Jones has likened to Bok flyer Cheslin K

“He’s got great feet, great aerial skills – it was impossible not to select him,” said the former Wallabies and England coach.

Veteran loose forward Michael Leitch captains the side in his 88th Test.

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JUST IN:Springboks duo open up on what to expect in two-Test series against Italy

Experienced Springboks duo Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) and Handre Pollard (fly-half) are not taking their challenge lightly against Italy at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

After the Boks started their 2025 international campaign with a 54-7 thrashing of the Barbarians in Cape Town last weekend, they now take on the Azzurri in the first of two Tests in South Africa and know the world champions will have to be at their best.

Although Italy currently occupy 10th position in World Rugby’s official rankings, Mbonambi and Pollard are not underestimating Azzurri head coach Gonzalo Quesada’s troops.

‘A team that believes in their systems’

“The Italian pack proved what they can do in the Six Nations, and they are a team that believes in their systems and plays with a lot of passion,” said Mbonambi.

“They also have a coach in Gonzalo Quesada who drives that passion. They may have a smaller group of players to choose from compared to South Africa with so few clubs, but they are hard-working players, and we are expecting a tough day at the office.”

Quesada has named his squad of 33 players and opted to rest stalwarts like prop Simone Ferrari, hooker Gianmarci Lucchesi, locks Dino Lamb and Federico Ruzza, half-backs Martin Page-Rolo and Paolo Garbisi, midfielder Juan Ignacio Brex, winger Ange Capuzzo, full-back Tommaso Allan and back-row Michele Lamaro.

Pollard echoed Mbonambi’s sentiments and although Italy will be without several experienced campaigners, he expects their opponents to be competitive.

“This is a good Italian team, and we are certainly not underestimating them, especially with the passion and physicality they play with,” he said.

“They also have a lot of threats, and they are a side that are clearly evolving if one looks at their results in the last few years against some of the top teams, so it will be important to stop them and to front up physically.

‘We have set high standards for ourselves’

“Over and above that, we have set high standards for ourselves, and we want to implement that at Test level

Double Rugby World Cup winner Pollard will start at fly-half against the Azzurri but faces tough opposition from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok for the Boks‘ number 10 jersey.

He said the competition for places helps them in the squad motivated them immensely to give their best on the field at training.

“We are blessed with so much talent in the country and, as teammates, we try to push each other and learn from one another because it’s important for us to evolve together and essentially become better.”

Pollard has now officially returned to the Bulls after stints at clubs in France and England since 2019. He is excited to be back in action at Loftus Versfeld.

“It’s great being back in South Africa and back with the guys in camp, and I’m really looking forward to my time here,” he said.

“I’m also looking forward to playing at Loftus Versfeld. I have good memories of playing there, and although this is a new season, we are excited to run out in front of our passionate home crowd again.”