Wales coach Warren Gatland has chosen Ellis Jenkins and Cory Hill as captains to lead the summer tour.

Flanker Jenkins and lock Hill have risen through the ranks of the Welsh squad and now lead the team who face South Africa in Washington on the 2^nd June before two tests in Argentina. Wales stalwarts Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones are among many experienced players to not feature in Gatland’s squad as he looks to ensure their fitness for next year’s World Cup in Japan, leaving the door open for new players to make an impact.

A neutral venue in the US capital awaits the first test between Wales and the Springboks, who have lost their past two meetings with Wales.

Gatland said: “I will be looking forward to having a different crowd and different atmosphere and being in a city we have not experienced before.

“It will be great for this group of players and take them out of their comfort zone and we will experience that in Japan 2019,” he added.

Wales will then face Argentina on their home soil for the last two tests but have won five out of the last six meetings against the Pumas. Both Hill and Jenkins have captained their clubs on several occasions, and Jenkins has further experience having led Wales Under-20s to second place at the Junior World Cup in 2013.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for those two players and both of them have had experience at regional level and Ellis in the past with Wales Under-20s. We see them as having some real leadership skills and it’s a great chance to develop them within the squad,” said Gatland.

Jenkins said: “They don’t come around often and when you get the opportunity, you’re going to have to take it.

“I feel like you’re always trying to prove yourself. Being in the environment is nice and then once you’ve been in here a little bit, you want it to be a regular thing. And then when it is a regular thing, you want to be one of the standout players. I don’t think you’re ever satisfied with where you are, I think you’re always trying to improve your standing as a player within the squad.

“It’ll be a big honour. The main thing for me is you get put in positions for things like captaincy based on what you’ve done, so it’s not about trying to change anything. It’s about earning the respect of the squad, leading by example and making good decisions when you get the opportunity.”