Wales vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby score and latest updates from World Cup warm-up as Siya Kolisi returns
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi will return for the Springboks
Wales and South Africa meet in Cardiff this afternoon for the latest warm-up match with the Rugby World Cup drawing ever nearer.
It is now just a few weeks before the two sides begin their tournament efforts, with this encounter coming at a crucial point in their preparations, and it should prove to be a useful test for both sides.
For those in Welsh red, this last warm-up contest is a final opportunity to press their case for selection with Warren Gatland set to name his final World Cup squad of 33 on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Springboks have already confirmed their selection for the tournament in France, but a close to full-strength side chosen by Jacques Nienaber will want to lay down a marker and inspirational captain Siya Kolisi makes a welcome return from a long-term injury.
Follow the action from Cardiff with our blog below and you can find the latest rugby tips and betting offers here
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Wales ready to meet South Africa’s physicality head on, says Aaron Wainwright
Aaron Wainwright admits Wales will face a team that sets the bar in terms of physicality when they meet World Cup warm-up opponents South Africa.
Wales’ final preparation Test promises to be a full-on spectacle at the Principality Stadium, with reigning world champions South Africa parading many of their star names.
Fit-again captain Siya Kolisi returns to the starting line-up after recovering from a serious knee injury, while 390 caps worth of experience up front also includes players such as Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit.
“We have spoken about physicality all week,” Wales No 8 Wainwright said. “If there is a team you are going to come up against at international level that is going to set the bar physicality-wise it is going to be South Africa.
“We have spoken about what we can bring to them in the physical test. Let’s not wait for them to bring the challenge to us. Let’s get off the line and meet them and show what we can do physically.”
Wales ready to meet South Africa’s physicality head on, says Aaron Wainwright
The number eight is relishing the challenge in Wales’ final World Cup warm-up game.
Siya Kolisi in but Handre Pollard out as South Africa announce Rugby World Cup squad
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been included in the squad for next month’s Rugby World Cup but other key players are left out because of injury, including influential fly-half Handre Pollard and World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am.
Kolisi had major knee surgery in April but South Africa are confident he will be fit in time for their first pool game against Scotland in Marseille on September 10.
There are 12 World Cup debutants but the Boks kept the bulk of the side that won the tournament in Japan four years ago.
But Am, who twisted his knee in a warm-up Test against Argentina on Saturday, and Pollard, who has a long-running calf injury, were among the notable omissions when the squad was unveiled at an elaborate televised ceremony on Tuesday.
Siya Kolisi in but Handre Pollard out as South Africa announce Rugby World Cup squad
The Springboks’ 33-man group also excludes Lukhanyo Am and Lood de Jager, who are injured but on th standby list
South Africa team news and line-up
South Africa are boosted by the return of Siya Kolisi in the back row, with the flanker having made a quick recovery from an injury that at one time appeared to threaten his participation in the defence of their World Cup crown.
Eben Etzebeth gets a week off at lock but the second row is suitably sizeable with Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman paired, while Jasper Wiese gets the nod at No 8.
With Lukhanyo Am and Handre Pollard injury absentees from Jacques Nienaber’s World Cup squad, Jesse Kriel and Manie Libbok are likely tournament starters, and the same might be true for Canan Moodie with Makazole Mapimpi and Kurt-Lee Arendse also vying for a wing place.
Jaden Hendrikse starts in the absence of Faf de Klerk while the bench includes a familiar six forwards, two backs split.
South Africa XV: Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe; Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman; Siya Kolisi (capt.), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese; Jaden Hendrikse, Manie Libbok; Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Canan Moodie; Willie le Roux.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen; Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi is back in the starting XV
Wales team news and line-up
British and Irish Lions Liam Williams and Dan Biggar will miss Wales’ final World Cup warm-up game against South Africa. Both players had been selected to start the match in Cardiff, but have been withdrawn as a precautionary measure.
The Welsh Rugby Union said that full-back Williams had a tight hamstring, with Biggar suffering from back irritation.
Cai Evans is promoted from the replacements’ bench to make his Test debut as Williams’ replacement, while Sam Costelow replaces fly-half Biggar. Evans’ spot on the bench is filled by Scarlets back Tom Rogers.
Wales XV: Corey Domachowski, Elliot Dee, Keiron Assiratti; Ben Carter, Will Rowlands; Dan Lydiate, Jac Morgan (capt.), Aaron Wainwright; Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow; Rio Dyer, Johnny Williams, Mason Grady, Alex Cuthbert; Cai Evans.
Replacements: Sam Parry, Nicky Smith, Henry Thomas, Teddy Williams, Taine Basham; Tomos Williams, Max Llewellyn, Tom Rogers.
Wales’ Jac Morgan in action against England
Wales vs South Africa – Rugby World Cup warm-up
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Wales vs South Africa in the latest Rugby World Cup warm-up.
We’ll bring you all the latest updates as Wales play their final warm-up game, just 48 hours before Warren Gatland confirms his final 33-man squad for the World Cup, while inspirational captain Siya Kolisi returns from a long-term injury for the Springboks.
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