The 20-year-old back is the only change to Darren Edwards’s side, in what is the new head coach’s second tournament in charge on the World Rugby Sevens Series. Prior to embarking on the World Series, Edwards said he wanted “to make these young Welsh players better” and he has enjoyed working with such a youthful group.
READ: Pontypridd flanker Morgan Sieniawski on being fast-tracked to the Wales Sevens team.
Newcomer Wood is part of a Swansea University side that has soared up the table in its first season in BUCS Super Rugby, the top tier of the university game, as well as signing for Swansea RFC in August.
Though new to top flight sevens, Wood was part of the Wales pre-season squad that competed in Alicante at the start of November.
Rio Dyer leads Wales’ try-scoring charts after round one in Dubai, where the Dragons teenager scored three tries – closely followed by Ben Roach on two.
In Cape Town, Wales have once again been drawn with number two-ranked New Zealand first up on the Friday (17:05 GMT). On Saturday, they take on Argentina (10:45) then Canada (16:35), another pool opponent from Dubai.
Wales Sevens squad (Cape Town) – Core Players: Cai Devine, George Gasson, Jay Jones, Cameron Lewis, Ben Roach, Dafydd Smith, Luke Treharne (c) Cardiff Blues: Rhys Davies Dragons: Rio Dyer Ospreys: Ben Cambriani Pontypridd: Morgan Sieniawski Scarlets: Tomi Lewis Swansea University: Brandon Wood
The World Rugby Sevens Series is shown live on Sky Sports.Â
