Hook impressed during the warm-up games against England © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Jones faces race against time

News: Du Plessis hails Boks' forward strength

News: Gatland tips Warburton to shine

News: North ready for Springboks challenge

News: Wales place faith in Priestland

News: Howley expecting aerial assault against Boks

Matches: South Africa 17 - 16 Wales

Players/Officials: James Hook | Ryan Jones | Stephen Jones | Rhys Priestland

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

Teams: South Africa | Wales

Wales coach Warren Gatland is relishing the prospect of unleashing "attacking players" James Hook and Rhys Priestland on South Africa this weekend.

Priestland has been handed the fly-half role for Sunday's World Cup Pool D clash, while a versatile Hook again features at full-back in an exciting unit alongside wings George North and Shane Williams.

"We are trying to get one of our best players on the field in James Hook," said Gatland. "There was a comment from Gwyn Jones (former Wales captain) a few weeks ago when he said James was probably the best Welsh 10, the best Welsh centre and the best Welsh fullback.

"We were really impressed with Rhys in the first couple of warm-up games (against England), and we felt that combination with James at 15 and having two attacking players at first receiver, with James being able to do that as well, gives us an opportunity.

"Rhys has confidence, he has got a very good balance in his game. He is an effective runner, has a good boot on him and he has that self-belief you look for as a coach."

Priestland, 24, made his Test debut as a replacement against Scotland during last season's Six Nations Championship, and he has won just four caps. But Gatland has been impressed with his maturity and composure, which was highlighted by an assured display against England at Twickenham last month.

On that occasion, Priestland moved from fullback to fly-half with barely ten minutes' notice when Stephen Jones' calf tightened during the warm-up. Hook, meanwhile, had an outstanding game from fullback in the return England encounter seven days later, contributing 13 points that included a try and two long-range penalties.

Elsewhere, Gatland has sprung a surprise in the second-row, where Newport Gwent Dragons lock Luke Charteris is preferred to Cardiff Blues forward Bradley Davies. Calf muscle injuries sideline fly-half Stephen Jones, prop Gethin Jenkins and number eight Ryan Jones, while 2009 Lions first Test full-back Lee Byrne does not feature in the matchday 22.

Leigh Halfpenny provides back-three cover off the bench, and Byrne, who had a poor game in Wales' final warm-up fixture against Argentina, misses out completely.

Gatland added: "It was a close call between the second-rows, but I think at the moment Luke is our number one. He played really well against England. He's in great shape, and the way he has improved in the last few months has been outstanding.

"In the past he has had injuries and hasn't always been able to take a full part in training, and it has been difficult for us to select him. But I think he has missed one session in two months. We have been really impressed with him."

Jenkins and Stephen Jones are set to resume training next week, but the immediate outlook for former Wales skipper Ryan Jones does not appear so bright.

"We just want to see how Sunday goes," said Gatland. "Hopefully, we don't pick up any injuries. We have got to give that injury (Jones') a bit more time to settle.

"It is a long tournament, and we've got to make sure we make the right decision there. Can we give him enough time? If we pick up injuries on Sunday, that may change our thinking, so we are going to wait and see what happens."