Louis Rees-Zammit says he has not settled back into rugby as quickly as he would have liked during his first year back in the sport.
The 25-year-old announced almost 12 months ago that he was returning to his original sport from American football after trying to break into the NFL.
Rees-Zammit has featured in 10 out of the 11 Wales internationals played in the 2025-26 campaign, with eight starts and two replacement appearances.
The Bristol back only missed the 73-0 defeat against South Africa in November 2025 because he was ineligible as he played for an English club and the match fell outside World Rugby’s international window.
Now, after being recalled to the starting side for the final match of the campaign against the Springboks in the Nations Championship in Durban on Saturday, Rees-Zammit admits he expected a bit more from himself during the past 12 months.
“I haven’t settled in as quickly as I wanted to back into rugby,” said Rees-Zammit, who has floated between full-back and wing.
“The more games I am playing, the more confidence I’m getting.”
Rees-Zammit hopes he can make more of an impact in the 2026-27 season leading into next year’s World Cup in Australia.
“This season was a very long one and I played multiple positions,” said Rees-Zammit.
“I never quite got my feet on the ground and back running like I used to, but I’ve learned so much.
“Hopefully I can give it my all for this final game, then next year is the year that I try and make the biggest impact I can.”
Rees-Zammit says he has no regrets about his rugby return.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said. “It’s taken a bit of time to to find my feet again, but this is the sport I’ve played since I was seven.
“I’ve loved being back in this environment, in the Welsh squad playing Test games against tough opposition.
“I was out of the game for a bit so it was going to take time, but I’m feeling confident and ready to finish the season strongly.”
Starting again after bench cameo
Following the opening Nations Championship 39-24 victory over Fiji, Rees-Zammit was dropped to the bench for Ellis Mee for the 35-21 defeat against Argentina in San Juan.
Now Rees-Zammit finds himself back in against the Springboks after his starting omission raised some eyebrows.
“I’m always trying to make an impact whenever I’m on the field, whether it’s off the bench or starting,” said Rees-Zammit.
“The minutes you get are different, but everyone in the 23 is trying their hardest to make an impact for Wales.
“They will do everything they can to help us win moments, which will end up leading to winning games.”
Wales have a squad of 35 players preparing for this match against South Africa with Rees-Zammit stating the squad know they will not play or start every international.
“We’re a close-knit group and and the players care about each other,” said Rees-Zammit.
“We’ve gone through almost three campaigns together and have been getting those connections within the squad.
“Some players won’t play some weeks and some will play others, so it’s about putting that jersey on and giving it your all.”
Rees-Zammit has only managed two tries in his 10 Tests since returning to rugby, with scores in the loss to New Zealand and victory against Japan in Cardiff last November.
He has not crossed in his past seven internationals with this record compared to 14 tries in 31 internationals before he left for the NFL.
Tandy and Wales attack coach Matt Sherratt are still searching how to utilise Rees-Zammit’s speed and eye for the line.
Former Wales centre Jonathan Davies said last week he wanted Rees-Zammit to show more hunger in getting on the ball, which the player says he is trying to do.
“It’s my role to try and make an impact when I get the ball, to try and find work to help the team,” said Rees-Zammit.
“Personally, I’m trying to make an impact both sides of the ball and defensively it is also a full 15-man squad effort.”
Why wing is the preferred position
Rees-Zammit had five of his nine starts for Wales this season at full-back during the Six Nations.
He has since told club and country that wing is where he sees his long-term future, with Blair Murray starting the past three Wales games at 15.
“They’re very interchangeable positions and I’m happy to be able to cover full-back, but during my whole career prior to going to the NFL, I was on the wing,” said Rees-Zammit.
“I was a British and Irish Lion playing on the wing, played in the Six Nations and stuff like that, so it was something I was more comfortable at.
“I had played couple of games at full-back for Wales prior to leaving, but I love finishing.
“That’s probably the best aspect of my game, and you get those chances more on the wing than you do at full-back.”
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Wales finish season in toughest challenge
Wales have not been given much hope of victory against the Springboks this weekend, although Rees-Zammit was part of the side that beat South Africa in Bloemfontein in 2022.
“It’s another opportunity to grow as a team, go to the world champions’ backyard and put on a performance that us and the whole of Wales can be proud of,” said Rees-Zammit.
“It’s going to be a big task but one we’re excited for in the last hit out of the season.”
Rees-Zammit admits Wales will have to much improved to even compete with Rassie Erasmus’ side.
“Physically we weren’t up to the task against Argentina and there’s probably no better team in the world than South Africa at that,” said Rees-Zammit.
“That’s going to have to rise a lot. It’s just about finding our flow and we didn’t do that in Argentina.”
Wales have won three out of 11 internationals so far this season under Steve Tandy.
Rees-Zammit says that ratio will need to improve next season going into the World Cup, but is encouraged by some progress,
“We’ve got a couple of wins under our belt, but ultimately it’s time to start winning games heading into the World Cup,” said Rees-Zammit.
“During the autumn and Six Nations, you could see we were building something.
“We won three games in a row but had a bump in the road last week against Argentina.
“It’s about fixing those wrongs, going back out there and giving it our all against a tough team.”
