South Africa vs Wales – it is a 2015 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal that could go either way, with the Springboks starting as the favourites, but the Welsh showing already in this tournament, they are a team capable of going all the way.
The manner in which South Africa have overcome that (in)famous defeat to Japan in their opening match has been pretty impressive, with the Springboks going on to top their group, which has seen them avoid a quarterfinal with Australia.
Not that Wales is an easy opponent, but the form that the Wallabies have shown at this World Cup – be that in an attacking sense or in defence – South Africa will be glad to avoid them for the moment.
"We are expecting an arm wrestle right until the end against Wales," Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer was quoted as saying by The Guardian. "We're playing against a well-balanced side that always likes to mix things up when it comes to physicality.
"They have a good set piece and some strong ball carriers up front and in the back, it's what you expect to face at this stage of the competition and we're very excited about the challenge."
While South Africa were impressive in showing their powers of bouncebackability, Wales have been equally resurgent. After almost every match of this 2015 Rugby World Cup, Wales have lost key players, and, yet, they have found a way to get past the trickiest group of the tournament.
Injuries are a part and parcel of a Rugby World Cup, but Wales have been given a fair few hefty blows. If those blows will finally begin to tell come the business end of the tournament or not, we will find out at Twickenham on Saturday.
"It will be the same old, same old [from South Africa]," Wales coach Warren Gatland said. "They're an incredibly physical team up front and you have to be able to match them at scrum time and driving lineout.
"They have some very strong ball carriers up front. I like the mix of the two young midfielders. I think they are exciting players for the future.
"They've got a good mix and a nice balance and have got over the shock of losing to Japan and that's galvanised them as a team and as a squad and they are going to be a tough proposition."
Teams: South Africa: Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damien de Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez (C); Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Frans Malherbe; Lodewyk de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Willem Alberts, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
Wales: Gareth Anscombe; Alex Cuthbert, Tyler Morgan, Jamie Roberts, George North; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Gethin Jenkins, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee; Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones; Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (C), Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Paul James, Tomas Francis, Bradley Davies, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, James Hook.
Where to Watch Live
Wales vs South Africa is scheduled for a 4 pm local time (8.30 pm IST, 5 pm SAST, 11 am ET) start. Sony Six will show the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match live in India.
Viewers in the UK and Ireland can watch the World Cup quarterfinal match live on ITV1, with the online live stream option on ITV Player.
SuperSport will show the Springboks play Wales live in South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa, while the match can be live streamed on SuperSport Live Video.
Audience in Australia can watch South Africa vs Wales live on Fox Sports, with the live stream option on Foxtel Play.
New Zealand viewers can catch their Wales play South Africa live on Sky Sport, while the action can also be watched via live streaming online on Sky Go NZ.
Audience in the USA can watch the game live on Universal Sports, while all the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal action can also be live streamed on Universal Sports Online.
Viewers in Canada can watch South Africa vs Wales live on TSN, with the online live streaming option on TSN TV.
