Geraint Lewis is ready to press for a Wales cap just a year after breaking into top-level rugby. The 23-year-old Pontypridd backrow forward arrived in South Africa yesterday as a replacement for the injured Richmond number eight Scott Quinnell.

With Quinnell and flanker Rob Appleyard of Swansea both having returned home because of injury, the path to a Test place could yet open up for Lewis, who can play at either number eight or blindside.

Wales caretaker coach Dennis John has also called for Ebbw Vale skipper Kingsley Jones to take the place of Appleyard, who injured knee ligaments during last Friday's 35-13 defeat to the Emerging Springboks in Secunda.

Jones was left out of John's 30man squad even though the forceful openside flanker had fought his way back into the Wales team last season.

Wales meet Border tomorrow in possibly the easiest game of their six-match trip.