Wales eye boost from 'far-from-perfect' Test

Wales head coach Steve Tandy guided Ospreys to the Pro12 title in 2012

Autumn international: Wales v South Africa

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 29 November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT

Coverage: Listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru; live text commentary on BBC Sport website & app

Steve Tandy hopes both Wales and the nation's professional regions can find some diamonds out of a "far from perfect" situation of a South Africa Test that is stretching squads.

The autumn campaign finishes with a fixture against the Springboks that is outside World Rugby's official Test window.

That means Wales have picked solely from Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets, who return to United Rugby Championship (URC) action this weekend.

The South Africa game was initially agreed in 2018 and the extra fixture is slotted in by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to provide a financial boost for all levels of the game.

However, it leaves Tandy with a much-changed and inexperienced squad and has given the regional coaches serious selection problems.

The Wales boss, who was in charge of Ospreys between 2012 and 2018, is sympathetic to their plight.

"It's hard and I've been in those situations, but I think on the flipside it is surprising what you can find," said Tandy.

"It's far from perfect, and I know how tough it is and I am empathetic, but sometimes you can find a diamond.

"It is tough, but I know they are all supportive coaches of what we are trying to do, and we are trying to be really supportive of them.

"It isn't perfect, but we can't change it. We have to make the best of the situation."

The regions bear the brunt of Wales losing 10 members of the matchday 23 that lost 52-26 to New Zealand last weekend.

Lock Adam Beard has gone back to Montpellier while nine players have returned to English clubs.

Tandy, who was appointed in the summer, remains positive and insists it presents the new-look management team with a chance to look at more players at the end of their first campaign.

"The more games we get the better," said the former Scotland defence coach. "We've got 14 or 15 before the World Cup.

"If you ask any player to represent their country at any given time, no matter where it is, they are going to want to play.

"For us it's an opportunity. There's loads of ways you can look at this game but for me it's exciting."

Coaches Steve Tandy and Dwayne Peel played against each other in west Wales derbies

Scarlets endured a winless start to the URC and host a Glasgow Warriors side boosted by the return of Scotland internationals on Saturday night (19:45 GMT).

Dwayne Peel has welcomed back some key Scarlets forwards – with Wales internationals Josh Macleod, Ryan Elias and Jake Ball back along with Springboks hooker Marnus van der Merwe – but is down to the bare bones in the backs.

Tom Rogers suffered an injury when scoring a hat-trick against the All Blacks and Blair Murray, Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts and Joe Hawkins are all starting at Principality Stadium against the Springboks.

"It's not ideal, but it's great for them and we are very appreciative of the fact that we have representatives in the Wales squad and we celebrate that with them," said the head coach.

"We've known about this fixture for a long time and it's not a surprise, it's an opportunity for young guys to step up.

"The game has been in the diary for a long time and guys who haven't had as much rugby can stick their hands up with Champions Cup rugby the following week."

Dragons, who have not won a league game since the opening weekend of last season, welcome champions Leinster to Rodney Parade on Friday night (19:45 GMT).

Head coach Filo Tiatia is without number eight Aaron Wainwright, wing Rio Dyer, lock Ben Carter, hooker Brodie Coghlan and tight-head prop Chris Coleman, but shares Peel's philosophical view.

"What's done is done. We're excited to play Leinster, and the players have an opportunity. We've just got to adapt," said the former All Blacks forward.

Cardiff and Ospreys, who travel to Zebre Parma (13:00 GMT) and Edinburgh (17:30 GMT) respectively, are yet to hold their pre-match media sessions.