Wales v New Zealand: Warren Gatland set to call up prop cover

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Warren Gatland has a number of injuries and not much time before Wales face South Africa on 29 December.

Wales have injury concerns over a number of players ahead of their final autumn Test match against South Africa.

Scrum-half Rhys Webb, wing George North and loose-head Nicky Smith were all hurt during the 34-16 defeat by New Zealand in Cardiff.

Smith's injury is a big concern as Bath prop Paul James is not available to face the Springboks on 29 November.

"Nicky Smith did a pectoral muscle and George has got quite a severe laceration," said coach Warren Gatland.

Try-scorer Webb has a groin injury.

Gatland says he may have to call in "a couple" of props after Smith's injury, James' unavailability and concern over the fitness of Gethin Jenkins.

The Blues loose-head missed the game against New Zealand because of a hamstring problem.

Bath's James will not be released for the match because it falls outside the international window.

"We'll have to see how he [Jenkins] turns up on Monday with that hamstring," said Gatland.

Smith came on as a late replacement for James against the All Blacks, but the Ospreys prop had to go off after a few minutes with a pectoral muscle injury.