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Dan Lydiate has had a plate inserted into his eye socket ahead of the World Cup quarter-final

Dan Lydiate has put his hand up to face the Springboks this weekend
Image: Dan Lydiate has put his hand up to face the Springboks this weekend

Dan Lydiate will line up for Wales against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday despite having had surgery to repair a damaged eye socket last week.

The Ospreys back rower suffered the injury during the victory over Fiji and sat out Saturday's loss to Australia.

However, he is back in the side for this weekend's quarter-final against the Springboks and will line up at blind side flanker in a back row which also includes skipper Sam Warburton and No 8 Taulupe Faletau.

Wales coach Warren Gatland said: "We hadn't considered Dan at all for the Australia game, with the knock that he had taken to the eye.

"He won't need any extra protection, he just had a little plate inserted into his eye socket.

"He was fit last week, but we made the decision that we didn't select him, so he's fine now."

Wales coach Warren Gatland with Rob Howley
Image: Wales coach Warren Gatland (left) wants his side to match the physicality of the Springboks

Justin Tipuric drops to the replacements bench in order to accommodate Lydiate.

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And Gatland added: "South Africa have gone back pretty much to the tried and tested in the physical approach they will bring up front and we need to match some of that physicality.

"That's why we have gone back to the back row we feel has got a good balance in terms of a genuine seven on the ball and the mix of a six and eight too."

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