The Ospreys wing comes into the side for the second Test in Bloemfontein in place of Josh Adams, who drops to the bench, having been part of the Welsh team that fell to a 31-30 defeat to the Boks in Nelspruit eight years ago.
It took an 83rd minute penalty by Damian Willemese to earn the home side a 32-29 win last weekend and in 2014 it was a second penalty try against Wales, converted by Willie Le Roux, that denied them an historic victory having led all the way up to two minutes from time.
“That game is probably up there as one of my more favourable performances, but the result is what we were really after – being the first team to win in South Africa,” said Cuthbert, who scored one of Wales’ three tries that day.
Alex Cuthbert scoring against the Boks in Nelspruit
“I felt like we were a good side in that second Test and deserved to win. South Africa are a side that play more than 80 minutes and that’s what it’s going to take this weekend.
“I’m very much looking forward to getting back out there and righting the wrongs of eight years ago.”
The Ospreys finisher scored in both Welsh Tests on that 2014 tour and will be looking to raise his overall tally of 17 tries in 51 games for his country. He also scored on his British & Irish Lions Test debut against the Wallabies in 2013.
The only change from the starting XV in the opening Test of the series at Loftus Versfeld, Cuthbert is one of seven survivors from the game in Nespruit – Liam Williams, George North, Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Taulupe Faletau and himself.
“There are quite a few of us, aren’t there?” he said. “It’s one of those where it’s about what could have been at that time.
“I didn’t think I’d get another opportunity to come out here and play against South Africa, so to have that opportunity this weekend is something I’m really looking forward to and really want to take it.
“I’m going to make sure that I leave absolutely everything on the field, like we did that day in Nelspruit. Hopefully, we’ll be on the right end of the result this time.”
