Have Wales got their midfield partnership right?

At Kings Park stadium in South Africa, a new midfield combination took the field for Wales — and it just might be the beginning of something special.

Fly-half Dan Edwards, center Ben Thomas, and outside center Max Llewellyn finished Wales's season together at the 10-12-13 positions, a trio that gave head coach Phil Tandy plenty to think about during his break before November's internationals. The match marked the end of a campaign where Wales experimented with different combinations, rotating their playmakers throughout the year.

Edwards, who plays professionally for the Ospreys, started an impressive 10 of Wales's 12 international matches this season. His Scarlets teammate Sam Costelow also made his mark, impressing coaches before picking up an injury against Scotland and then returning to face Argentina. The competition between the two young fly-halves has pushed both to perform at their best.

Former Wales international Rhys Anscombe, who himself played many years at fly-half, offered some wisdom from the sidelines. He believes that young playmakers need consistency to truly develop their decision-making skills. "With 10s, regardless of how they play, there are times when you need to give them three or four games in a row," Anscombe said. "A 10's job isn't just about effort and attitude — so much is about decision-making and being accurate within that. You need time in the saddle to be making those decisions at the line constantly."

This season's experimentation means Tandy now faces a welcome problem: too many talented options. With Edwards, Thomas, and Llewellyn showing chemistry together, Wales heads into the November window with a midfield partnership that has real potential. The break will give players rest and give coaches time to study what worked best.

For Welsh rugby fans, the trip to South Africa ended on a hopeful note — not with a result, but with the discovery of a combination worth watching. When the international window opens again in November, all eyes will be on whether Edwards, Thomas, and Llewellyn get the extended run Anscombe believes they need.