Wales v South Africa

Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 5 live, plus live text commentary on the BBC Sport website.

South Africa and Wales will meet for the 31st time in Saturday’s second 2015 Rugby World Cupquarterfinal, and both teams have reason to be confident in their chances of reaching the semifinals.

Wales lost 16 successive Tests against South Africa between 2000 and 2014, but the last two meetings should provide 73 times-capped Roberts and company with cause for optimism.

Both players were left out of the match squad that coach Vern Cotter announced on Friday, with Fraser Brown selected at hooker in place of Ford and Tim Swinson moving off the bench to replace Gray at lock for what will be Scotland’s first World Cup quarterfinal since 2007. “Obviously you can never rule out New Zealand, but I have just got this sneaking feeling that they will do it”.

Gatland’s side are seeking to set up a last-four tie with either New Zealand or France.

Australia did deserve to win because they defended so well, but I think we can take a lot of confidence out of that game.

Gatland’s views were echoed by his captain Sam Warburton, who is viewing the game as an opportunity to inflict a significant defeat on one of the southern hemisphere giants. I think that’s irrelevant. That is the challenge that faces us, but for us to get that win last November was a huge step in our learning curve.

“At this stage of the competition, any team can beat any other team”, he said. “That’s quite important to me”.

South Africa are putting their faith in the bully-boy rugby that brought them World Cup success in 2007 and believe their power runners can punch holes in a Welsh defence that did not concede a try against the Wallabies.

“It’s been tough, look at my grey hair”, he said. On top of that, this will be the first real test for the defending champions, the one where everybody in world rugby will be tuning in and thinking, “Come one then, let’s see what they’ve got”.

“You always have to look at your opponents and respect them”. Playing in the Rugby Championship will have stood them in good stead when it comes to facing higher-ranked teams.

This was slowly evolving into a case of kicker vs kicker, with Pollard soon restoring an 18-16 advantage for South Africa – only for Biggar to make it 18-19 just a matter of moments later.

Wales have recalled flanker Dan Lydiate, whose renowned tackling skills are set to be put to the test by the ever-physical Springboks, with Tyler Morgan drafted in at centre as George North returns to the wing. When the fresh guys came on we turned it around.

Victor Matfield’s continuing injury problems mean another run-out for the youthful second-row pairing of of Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth.

He’s had a real rise to prevalence in this World Cup.

He said: “I don’t want to embarrass him, but if someone had to ask me who are the best players I’ve played with, then I would say players like Gethin Jenkins, Alun-Wyn Jones, Shane Williams, Martyn Williams – he’s in that bracket”.

Reuters Wales are not ready to go home and South Africa are in no mood to quit, so expect an epic World Cup quarter-final match.

Springbok wing Bryan Habana moved inside to draw Welsh marker Alex Cuthbert with him, and du Preez surged into the gap.