Wales team suffer last-minute injury blow as Rhys Patchell called into action against South Africa

Gareth Anscombe has been forced to pull out of Wales' crucial third Test at the last minute, with Rhys Patchell replacing him on the bench.

Anscombe was the hero of last week's historic victory over the Springboks in Bloemfontein, setting up Josh Adams' try before adding the winning conversion from the touchline. However, a rib injury has seen him pull out mere hours before the start of the third Test in Cape Town.

As a result, Scarlets fly-half Patchell steps in as the fly-half replacement in the matchday 23. Patchell's last cap came against Scotland in the delayed 2020 Six Nations finale in Llanelli.

The late withdrawal is a cruel blow for Anscombe, who had spoken last week in the wake of his Bloemfontein heroics about the long and painful journey he had taken after his horrendous injury before the 2019 World Cup. However, Patchell - who featured prominently off the bench in that World Cup in Japan as a result - has endured his own awful luck with injury since, adding just two caps to his collection despite having been a crucial part of Wayne Pivac's title-winning side at the Scarlets.

Even with the late enforced change, the selection for the crucial third Test remains the most consistent of Pivac's time in charge. The three changes to last week's matchday 23 is the lowest, with the four changes made after the first Test coming just behind it.

Previously, the lowest amount of changes between matches was five ahead of the Grand Slam decider with France in 2021. Before this tour, Wales had made an average of nearly 12 changes to their matchday 23 between Test matches.

Even with the late loss of Anscombe, Pivac will be hoping that Wales can replicate last week's historic win - Wales' first on South African soil against the Springboks - and win the Test series.

You can follow the Wales v South Africa match live here now.

Read next:

South Africa v Wales live

England beat Australia as landmark day for northern hemisphere continues

Ireland stun All Blacks to clinch historic series win amid tears after epic decider

South Africa v Wales head-to-head ratings: How the teams match up for huge decider as Pivac's men ahead in one key area

Dan Lydiate reveals why he was so emotional in Welsh rugby video that's gone viral

Finding Percy Montgomery, Welsh rugby's overseas superstar hit by tragedy and trauma in recent years

South Africa v Wales decider: Exact scoreline predicted by writers as history beckons

'Look at me when I'm talking to you!' Welsh ref's tense confrontation with player watched by six million people in 24 hours