Mike Phillips picks the Wales team to play South Africa as Alun Wyn Jones left out and Basham must play

Welsh rugby legend Mike Phillips has given his thoughts on who Wayne Pivac should select to start in the first Test against South Africa this summer.

Much of the squad of 33 will not play another match before the opening Test in Pretoria after the Welsh regions failed to make the knockout stages of the United Rugby Championship. So there is little more they can be judged on before July 2.

Phillips, however, believes some players should be feeling the pressure after the defeat to Italy in the Six Nations ahead of what is always a difficult first game of the tour.

The Wales team Pivac is likely to actually pick

He told WalesOnline: "There needs to be repercussions after the Italy game. You can't just lose a game like that, at home, and players not feel like their position is under threat. Just because it was the last game of a campaign, doesn't mean it should be brushed under the carpet.

"The boys playing in the first Test are going to be really up against it because the first tour match is always tough. They'll go weeks now without playing a match before going in against the world champions. Some boys might find themselves in a position where things don't go well and they'll struggle to get back into the side."

Here's Mike Phillips' starting XV to face the Boks...

"Liam has had his injuries but he's one of those players that rises to the big occasion. He's a world class player and you've got to have those type of players in your side if you're going to have any chance of beating South Africa in South Africa.

"Rees-Zammit has been in really good form for Gloucester since Wales left him out of a few games in the Six Nations. He's playing well against quality opposition week in, week out. He's shown a good attitude.

"It