The likely Wales team Wayne Pivac will now name amid several clues

South Africa have named a dauntingly strong side for the opening Test in Pretoria this weekend, calling upon a throng of World Cup winners and Lion tamers with the intention of inflicting more misery on Welsh rugby.

Later in the week, it will be the turn of Wayne Pivac to reveal his hand. Some of the team is largely inked in permanent marker, but other parts of his starting XV are a little more undecided.

But who will be in the team named on Thursday? And has Pivac offered any clues prior to suggest which way his selections will go?

South Africa name formidable team to face Wales despite missing influential fly-half

Let's start in the back-three. As the only specialist full-back, Liam Williams is nailed on to start a year on from wearing the 15 jersey in the final Lions Test.

Another starter in that third Test, Josh Adams, is assured of his place. But the final wing spot could be interesting.

Louis Rees-Zammit started the chastening defeat to Italy and there's an acceptance of sorts that the young Gloucester winger will keep his spot - particularly given how he finished the season at Kingsholm.

However, he did of course lose the jersey during the Six Nations to Alex Cuthbert for key matches against England and France. And his club form, or the eye-catching tries he continues to score for the Premiership side, wasn't the reason why last year's Lions tourist was dropped.

Instead, it was to do with work-ons around his game. "We expect him to go and work hard on his game and come back stronger," said Pivac at the time.

"There are a few things we've spoken to him about and also George Skivington, his Gloucester coach. He knows what they are and he'll work very hard."

So in came Cuthbert against England, and the Ospreys