Gareth Lewis
BBC Radio Wales commentator

Four years ago, Wales were not as adept at closing out tight games, but they have shown since they can close them out. It’ll be interesting to see of its Wales that have the ability to do that, rather than the Springboks.

Image source, Getty Images

When Aaron Wainwright was on the books at Cardiff City, he'd have probably laughed if you suggested he was going to score a try in a RUGBY World Cup quarter-final.

"I was probably more of a Roy Keane type, I loved to get stuck in," said the 22-year-old, who only began playing rugby four years ago and crossed in the 20-19 win over France last week.

"The serious side of it I guess started when I was at Cardiff Met and I had a phone call from Bernard Jackman (then Dragons head coach) to say I was going to be on the bench for the Dragons against Southern Kings.

"I am still very friendly with a lot of the boys, and they can't believe how far I have come. A lot of them have wanted to come over (to Japan), but obviously student loans have been an issue."

South Africa lost to two-time defending champions New Zealand in their opening game, but breezed past their other pool-stage opponents - Namibia, Italy and Canada.

The Springboks also found a way to stem Japan's attacking flair in the quarter-finals with a 26-3 success last weekend.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

This semi-final pits the Six Nations champions against the Rugby Championship winners - the northern and southern hemispheres' best hitting it out?

South Africa's only loss in their past 10 games was the 23-13 World Cup pool defeat to New Zealand and they go into the game as the bookies' favourites.

But Wales soared to the top of the world rankings under Warren Gatland and now sit third, one spot above the Springboks.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent at International Stadium Yokohama

Image source, Reuters

Warren Gatland is a lucky coach, but he is also a brilliant coach as well. How many times has he been able to produce it?

After a comfortable win over Georgia to kick-off their campaign, Wales have yet to really hit their straps at the World Cup.

Warren Gatland's side fended off an Australia comeback to beat the Wallabies in the pool stage and then battled through a bruising encounter against Fiji before seeing off Uruguay.

And then there was that last-eight meeting with France - lucky? Well, you make your own luck, but Sebastien Vahaamahina's red card for a reckless elbow certainly didn't hinder Welsh chances as they fought back from nine points down to win 20-19.

Image source, PA Media

We've been asking fans in Yokohama what their favourite thing about Japan is.

Head to the BBC Sport Instagram story, external to find out what they said.

Image source, BBC Sport

Gareth Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales in Yokohama

There was a lovely interaction between fly-half Dan Biggar and Wales backs coach Stephen Jones with former internationals Mike Phillips, Gareth Thomas and Shane Williams who are pitchside summarisers here.

Biggar and Jones were the first players and coaches for Wales out on the field to warm-up for Wales.

There has been plenty of support for both sides outside the stadium here in Yokohama.

BBC Sport Wales has been out and about to check out the atmosphere before the big game starts.

Andy Nicol
Former Scotland scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think it’s going to happen, Wales have this ability to win games. They don’t know how to lose, which is a great asset to have, Wales-England, a British Six Nations final would be fantastic,

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at International Stadium Yokohama

For the final instalment in the trilogy: this blow-up dragon is named 'Alun Wyn Dragon'. Bravo.

Image source, BBC Sport

I'll let these South Africa fans have the last word. Not totally sure what they've come as, but their enthusiasm was second to none.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Reuters

World Cup-winning coach Jake White says Alun Wyn Jones may be destined to lift the Rugby World Cup trophy and join the sport's legends.

White guided South Africa to 2007 World Cup glory and says Jones can emulate past winning skippers such as Richie McCaw, Francois Pienaar and John Eales.

"Look at Alun Wyn Jones, I really believe he can do it, he is the real deal and a great captain," said White.

"I don't think people foresaw what he would do for Welsh rugby when he started.

"He has become one of the great Welsh players of all time with what he has achieved as a Lions and Wales captain.

"I'd say it is far beyond what even he could have dreamed of.

"He's the heartbeat of Wales and if he is there then Wales have got a chance."

Spare a thought for injured Wales players Liam Willams and Josh Navidi who can only look on from the replacements bench while their team-mates warm-up.

Image source, PA Media

Bobby Skinstad
Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 live

Rassie’s done a very good job. Technically he is famously sound, he is a student of the game. He’s the guy who used to wear out the video tapes from doing hours of research, he’s never under-prepared. He has created a platform for the players to be as good as they can be.

Image source, PA Media

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus: "I think we have been under pressure to redeem ourselves for the last couple of years. We've been number five, six and seven in the world over the last three or four years and we've had some proper hidings against almost every team since 2015.

"We've lost to Italy, we've lost to Japan, we've been beaten by 57 points, 39-3 by Ireland. Some people have lost a lot of faith in us at different stages.

"We've got a different challenge which is to get respect back and so people start believing in us again. That was the pressure for us.

"Now we're at the stage where we want to be number one in the world again. Now there is internal pressure and expectation and that's different."

Image source, Getty Images

Wales beware, South Africa are used to playing the villain after wrecking hosts Japan's dreams with a ruthless performance in their quarter-final last week.

The Grinch-like Springboks squeezed the life out of the Brave Blossoms with serious grunt and guile.

Rassie Erasmus' side will be keen spoil the party once more...

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at International Stadium Yokohama

This Wales handbag was bought in 2009 and has travelled round the world following the Welsh rugby team. It's a bit worse for wear and the designer has stopped making them now, but surely they'd start again if Wales win the World Cup...

Image source, BBC Sport

And top marks for this amusing t-shirt.

Image source, BBC Sport