Wales vs South Africa
2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final
Venue: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Date: Sunday, 27 October, 2019
Kick-off: 9:00am GMT
Wales will be looking to reach the Rugby World Cup final for the first time in their history when they take on South Africa in Yokohama on Sunday.
In what will be Warren Gatland's penultimate game in charge (the losers here will play in the third-place playoff), Alun Wyn Jones' side will be looking to go one better than in both 1987 and 2011, when they were beaten semi-finalists.
Wales reached the last four despite an underwhelming performance against France, largely helped by Sebastien Vahaamahina's crazy red card.
South Africa, meanwhile, are looking for a third World Cup win, following their successes in 1995 and 2007, and reached the last four by beating hosts Japan in the quarter-final, with their only defeat of the tournament coming on opening weekend, against New Zealand.
But the All Blacks will not be in the final, with England beating them 19-7 on Saturday to ensure they will be competing for the biggest prize in rugby.
Team news and line-ups
Wales
Gatland's men suffered a huge blow this week when fullback Liam Williams was ruled out of the rest of the tournament after injuring his ankle in training.
Leigh Halfpenny will come in to replace him as one of two changes to the side that squeezed past France, with Jonathan Davies back in at centre in place of Owen Watkin.
Wales XV: Halfpenny, North, Davies, Parkes, Adams, Biggar, Davies; Moriarty, Tipuric, Wainwright, Wyn Jones, Ball, Francis, Wyn Jones.
Replacements: Dee, Carre, Lewis, Beard, Shingler, Williams, Patchell, Watkin.
South Africa
The Springboks have made just one change to the side that beat Japan last weekend, and it is an enforced one.
Winger Cheslin Kolbe is out after he aggravated an ankle injury in that game, though there is still hope that he could be back for the final if they get there. S'busiso Nkosi comes in in his place.
South Africa XV: Le Roux; Nkosi, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Mtawarira, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, De Jager, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Marx, Kitschoff, Koch, Snyman, Mostert, Louw, H Jantjies, Steyn.
Score Prediction: Wales 16-21 South Africa
Wales will need to be miles better than they were against France, but one would hope that that game served as something of a wake-up call.
However, South Africa have impressed since losing to the All Blacks, and should edge what will surely be a tight encounter.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Wales to win: 3/1
- Draw: 22/1
- South Africa: 1/3
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised live on ITV and ITV HD with build-up starting at 7:30am.
TV license payers can also stream the match online via the ITV website and the ITV Hub.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog with Will Macpherson in Yokohama.
Head to Head record and history (h2h)
The two sides have met 35 times, with South Africa winning 28, including a quarter-final clash at the last World Cup, Wales six and one draw.
However, in recent years the balance of the rivalry has swung the other way, with Wales winning each of the last four meetings between the two sides.
