• Defence coach wary of Springboks ‘blowtorch speed’ out wide• Wales aiming to reach their first Rugby
World Cup finalWales back themselves physically against anyone and if they justify that confidence against
South Africa on Sunday they will very probably reach the final for the first time. The Springboks have beaten them in the past two World Cup tournaments in tight, hard‑fought contests, but a motivating end of an era beckons with Warren Gatland nearing his final week in charge of the Six Nations champions.
Gatland’s side were knocked out of the 2015 World Cup by South Africa, succumbing to a late Fourie de Preez try after leading for much of the game, but they have won the four fixtures against the Springboks since and Gatland will have his charges primed as he focuses on the one trophy in club and Test rugby that has eluded him.