George North is preferred on the right wing to Leigh Halfpenny, who makes the bench with Lions full-back Lee Byrne missing out altogether, while Dan Lydiate, Toby Faletau and captain Sam Warburton will all make their World Cup debuts.

And despite facing the defending World Champions South Africa unable to field their strongest XV, Gatland insists Wales are thinking only of victory.

“We are going into this game looking for a win,” said Gatland.

“If you get the world champions in your pool you want to play them first up and throw everything you've got at them.

“We've got the toughest group in the competition, but we know if we can come through we will be in good shape.

“The players have done everything we have asked of them so far, they have worked incredibly hard.”

Wales team against South Africa

James Hook - Perpignan

George North - Scarlets

Jon Davies - Scarlets

Jamie Roberts – Cardiff Blues

Shane Williams - Ospreys

Rhys Priestland - Scarlets

Mike Phillips - Bayonne

Paul James - Ospreys

Huw Bennett - Ospreys

Adam Jones - Ospreys

Luke Charteris – Newport Gwent Dragons

Alun Wyn Jones - Ospreys

Dan Lydiate – Newport Gwent Dragons

Sam Warburton – Cardiff Blues

Toby Faletau – Newport Gwent Dragons

Replacements

Ryan Bevington - Ospreys

Lloyd Burns – Newport Gwent Dragons

Bradley Davies – Cardiff Blues

Andy Powell – Sale Sharks

Tavis Knoyle - Scarlets

Scott Williams - Scarlets

Leigh Halfpenny – Cardiff Blues