Wales reported that Dragons hooker Elliot Dee was called up as cover for Lake, who has successfully completed two training sessions.
At 27, Lake is poised to extend his record as the sole Wales player to have started every Test match under head coach Tandy.
After Wales’ 39‑24 victory over Fiji, Rees‑Zammit and Edwards were omitted from the starting lineup for the Argentina match, with Scarlets players Ellis Mee and Sam Costelow taking their places, and subsequently excluded from the South Africa squad.
A refreshed centre partnership is expected in Durban, featuring Cardiff’s Thomas alongside Llewellyn in midfield.
Eddie James was left out of the squad, and Hawkins will be named on the replacement bench, also providing cover at fly‑half and in the backline.
Ospreys scrum‑half Reuben Morgan‑Williams joins the bench as a replacement for Kieran Hardy.
Mann, sidelined in the Argentina match, returns to the blind‑side flanker position, partnering with Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright.
Reffell is poised for his first international appearance in a year, having been omitted from the previous two campaigns, and is now selected by Tandy.
‘We have made alterations to the starting lineup,’ Tandy explained.
‘The season is drawing to a close and we have endured extensive travel,’ Tandy noted.
‘Some players deserve a chance, and this provides an opportunity to refresh the squad,’ Tandy added.
Cardiff lock Williams, slated to partner Adam Beard, will make his first Test start in a year.
With Carter unavailable, Wales will meet the Springboks without the lock combination that concluded the Six Nations, as Exeter captain Dafydd Jenkins remains sidelined due to a shoulder operation.
Carter forced his way into the starting XV for the final three Six Nations fixtures, continued in the squad for the uncapped Barbarians match, and participated in the Nations Championship games versus Fiji and Argentina.
The loss of the 21‑cap Dragons forward further strains the second‑row resources.
Flanker Plumtree filled the second row in the Fiji match, and Thomas was summoned to South Africa as cover, now earning a spot in the 23‑man squad.
Wales will finish the season against a side that previously inflicted a 73‑0 defeat on Tandy’s team at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in November 2025.
In Tandy’s inaugural season, Wales have secured three wins and eight losses across 11 internationals, with one win and one defeat in the Nations Championship.
‘South Africa are world champions and possess abundant depth,’ Tandy remarked.
‘Our focus is to express our own style of play and demonstrate a tangible physical edge,’ Tandy stated.
‘We are up against what is likely the most physically imposing team in the world,’ Tandy said.
‘It presents a valuable chance to test ourselves against the world’s best team,’ Tandy concluded.
