Stephen Jones takes over from James Hook at fly-half

Warren Gatland has chosen experience over youth at fly-half for Wales' first Test in South Africa as Stephen Jones is preferred to James Hook.

The Scarlets star, who made his Wales debut in the record 96-13 loss to the Springboks in 1998, will play in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Dafydd Jones returns after an almost three-year international absence at open-side flanker to win his 30th cap.

Jonathan Thomas is on the blind-side with Ryan Jones at number eight.

Wales travelled to face the world champions without a specialist number seven and were expected to experiment by playing Ospreys star Thomas out of position.

But Thomas has been retained on the blind-side with skipper Jones remaining at number eight.

606: DEBATE Is Gatland being too conservative playing Jones not Hook?

Coach Gatland said: "I have named Dafydd Jones at openside and this is a great opportunity for him to deliver for Wales again.

"With Jonathan Thomas at number six we have two flankers with pace and genuine footballing skills."

Cardiff's Jamie Roberts will win his second cap on Saturday at Vodacom Park, replacing knee-injury victim Lee Byrne at full-back.

An experienced midfield pairs Tom Shanklin and Sonny Parker with Stephen Jones and Gareth Cooper of Gloucester at half-back.

Gatland has retained the core of his Grand Slam-winning front five of Gethin Jenkins, Mathew Rees, Adam Jones, Ian Gough and Alun Wyn Jones.

Byrne, Mike Phillips, Martyn Williams, Dwayne Peel, Gavin Henson, Huw Bennett and Alix Popham are unavailable to Gatland but number 10 rivals Hook and Jones are.

Jones and Ospreys sensation Hook shared fly-half duties during Wales' all-conquering Six Nations campaign and seem set to do likewise in South Africa.

"We are lucky to have two players of the calibre of Stephen Jones and James Hook competing for the number ten jersey," said Gatland.

"I just thought because of our injuries in the back-line Stephen's experience weighed in his favour but like in the Six Nations you can expect to see James Hook get a significant amount of time on the field.

"I am very comfortable with the balance of our back line going into this game.

"We know the size of the challenge we face because we are playing the World Champions on their home turf where Wales have never been able to achieve a victory.

"This is an important tour for this squad and we are determined to leave South Africa having earned the respect of the Springboks.

"It is very important for us to test ourselves against the best sides in the world and these two games will show us precisely where we are on our journey to improve."

Wales team to play South Africa at Bloemfontein on June 7: Jamie Roberts; Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Sonny Parker, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Dafydd Jones, Ryan Jones (capt)
Replacements: Duncan Jones, Richard Hibbard, Ian Evans, Gareth Delve, Warren Fury, James Hook, Morgan Stoddard