JOSH Adams returns to the side in place of the injured Alex Cuthbert for Wales’ series decider in South Africa on Saturday.

Cuthbert had replaced Adams on the wing in the sole change for the second test – in which Wales made history with their first ever win against the Springboks on South African soil.

But following Cuthbert’s early injury in Bloemfontein, it was Adams who came on and scored the try which put Wales on the cusp of victory, before Gareth Anscombe sealed the result with the conversion.

On Monday, it was confirmed that Cuthbert’s injury would rule him out of the third test.

This means the fifteen who lined up in the first test – which ended in an agonising last kick of the game defeat – will start in this deciding match.

There’s one change among the replacements, with Osprey’s Owen Watkin coming in – filling the space left by Adams.

Anscombe, whose boot secured the historic win last weekend, will again start on the bench.

South Wales Argus: Josh Adams returns to the Wales starting line-up for the third test against South Africa. Picture: Huw Evans Picture Agency.Josh Adams returns to the Wales starting line-up for the third test against South Africa. Picture: Huw Evans Picture Agency.

“Most people had written us off before we left Wales and to be in this position with an opportunity to win this series it’s a great position for us to be in,” said head coach Wayne Pivac. “It’s fantastic that there’s something to play for in this test match.

“However it’s been a tough training week because we’ve been a bit banged up as you’d expect after two very physical test matches.

“So to have the majority of the squad that we arrived on these shores with available is a pretty good state to be in and we are really looking forward to the weekend.

“The atmosphere on match day has been excellent. South African fans are very loud, they support their side and they let you know what they are thinking of the occasion.

“It’s an environment that tests you and the players have so far stood up in both matches.

“We’re looking forward to another full house and another crowd that really gets behind the occasion and makes it a special one.”

George North, again starting alongside Nick Tompkins in the centre, will overtake Stephen Jones’ record as the most-capped Welsh men’s international back of all time, with 105 Wales appearances.

North made his debut for Wales in 2010 in a match against South Africa in Cardiff, scoring two tries on that occasion.

Only Alun Wyn Jones (152) – who is among Wales’ replacements – and defence coach Gethin Jenkins (129) have more Wales caps.

Speaking about North, Pivac said: “It’s fantastic for George. He’s worked really hard to come back from a major injury and to break that record is no mean achievement.

“I’m looking forward to seeing George out there on Saturday and hope he can have a stormer for us.”

The match kicks off at 4.05pm on Saturday, July 16 at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. It will be shown live on Sky Sports with highlights on S4C.

The Wales team in full:

15. Liam Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 80 caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 18 caps)
13. George North (Ospreys – 104 caps)
12. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 22 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 41 caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints – 102 caps), captain
9. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 13 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 12 caps)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 29 caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 40 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Dragons – 20 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 36 caps)
6. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys – 67 caps)
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 2 caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 91 caps)

Replacements:

16. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 7 caps)
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 44 caps)
18. Sam Wainwright (Saracens – 1 cap)
19. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 152 caps)
20. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby – 32 caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 35 caps)
22. Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys – 32 caps)
23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 32 caps)