Joseph Whittaker: If Wales win today I'm booking flights to Japan, this is once in a life time stuff and can't be missed

Image source, BBC Sport

Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes describes the build-up to their World Cup semi-final against South Africa, including another brush with royalty and being rejected as a "roomie" by newly-arrived Owen Lane.

Read what the Wales star had to say here.

Bobby Skinstad
Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 live

I have been tense since lunch time. Gatland has been a master manipulator down the years. We are a big powerhouse team, but if that doesn’t come off, what is Plan B? Wales have shown they can score tries from anywhere on the pitch.

Martyn Williams
Former Wales captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Owen Watkin did well last week, but Jonathan Davies is a truly world-class centre. Let’s hope he gets to the full 80 minutes as he is such a key player.

They have hobbled into the semi-final, if truth be told. Gatland has a magic formula of producing big performances in big games.

Gareth Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales in Yokohama, Japan

We had been waiting to see whether Jonathan Davies would come out for the warm-up after he had been named in the starting side.

Davies suffered a knee injury against Fiji and pulled out of the quarter-final win against France.

The 31-year-old centre was one of the last Wales players to come out onto the field and Wales fans breath a sigh of relief.

Davies has his left leg heavily strapped as he has had all week in training and is going through his routine now.

South Africa boss Rassie Erasmus said one of the reasons he did not select Cheslin Kolbe is that he hopes he will be available for the World Cup final if the Springboks beat Wales.

"He was not 100% fit and then hopefully we get to a final and then he's fully fit, and that would be great if we get to a final. So we did think about that," he said.

Image source, EPA

South Africa wing Cheslin Kolbe has been one the stars of the World Cup but an ankle problem means the Springbok flyer is replaced by Sbu Nkosi today.

"It's disappointing not to have Cheslin available as he has been brilliant for us since we first called him up last year," said Rassie Erasmus.

"But we really rate Sbu and he will slot straight in. I am as excited to see what he can do as I would be if 'Chessie' were playing. Sbu has been very close to selection as it is.

"We've been fortunate to have been able to be pretty consistent in selection and we've built some nice momentum, but the challenge just got a lot tougher on Sunday.

"Wales are the reigning Six Nations champions - as well as Grand Slam winners - and apart from three defeats in their World Cup warm-ups have put together a really good sequence of results.

"But we've also found some rhythm and we'll be ready for the challenge."

Stick on t'wireless, click the link at the top of this page and tap on the BBC Sounds app...

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at International Stadium Yokohama

The rugby fashion stakes are high in Yokohama today.

These Japanese fans probably win for the sheer effort they put in.

Image source, BBC Sport

But this man is dressed as a pitch and even has all the players stuck to him...

Image source, BBC Sport

Right then, who's got all excited about a potential England v Wales final and started looking into flights to Japan?

Prepared to make it to Yokohama by any means necessary? Long layovers and a route that takes you halfway around the world to nab a cut-price flight?

If you’re planning to go to Japan, we want to hear about it. Tweet us using #bbcrugby

Image source, PA Media

Head coach Warren Gatland says the loss of Liam Williams is a big blow but believes Leigh Halfpenny will add different qualities against South Africa.

"Liam is undoubtedly a big loss from an attacking perspective and what he has achieved in the game in the last year or so," said Gatland. "But bringing in the experience of someone like Leigh gives us a different element.

"He is defensively probably the best full-back in the world in terms of his aerial game and coverage defensively.

"We had a long debate about whether we started Leigh in the first place and potentially move Liam to the wing.

"There was a long discussion about that, so Leigh was probably unlucky he was not in the team in the first place."

Let's take an early look at the teams for today's semi-final...

Wales: Halfpenny; North, J Davies, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; Wyn Jones, Owens, Francis, Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Wainwright, Moriarty, Tipuric.

Replacements:Dee, R Carre, D Lewis, Beard, Shingler, T Williams, Patchell, Watkin.

South Africa: Le Roux; Nkosi, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Mtawarira, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, De Jager, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Marx, Kitschoff, Koch, Snyman, Mostert, Louw, H Jantjies, Steyn.

Former Wales international Scott Quinnell, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "Last week wasn’t brilliant, we didn’t play particularly well but we got through. Today we need a performance, we need that physicality, take it to South Africa and have a good kicking game. What better final that England-Wales next week, but it’s about managing those emotions."

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at International Stadium Yokohama

Yesterday a rock band entertained fans before the match, today it's more of a reggae vibe.

It's perfect for this weather. The forecast suggested this game would be played in torrential rain, but everyone has been soaking up the sunshine outside the stadium.

Image source, BBC Sport

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Yokohama International Stadium

Wales' fans are making themselves heard in Yokohama.

Thousands have followed the team around Japan, and that number has grown with every match.

Outside this particular bar in Yokohama are a group of fans from Kidwelly RFC in Carmarthenshire. Drinking in the mid-afternoon sun? It could get lively.

Image source, BBC Sport

Yes, awaiting the winner of this one in the final next weekend will be England, after Eddie Jones' side saw off two-time defending champions New Zealand in the other semi-final.

A defeat that did not sit well with those back home...

Image source, Herald

Image source, Getty Images

Wales are on the brink of history, bidding to reach the World Cup final for the first time.

So, will it be third time lucky in the semi-finals?

Eight years ago it was France and the boot of Morgan Parra who stopped Wales in their tracks.

Thirty-two years ago - and before many of this current squad were born - it was the All Blacks who ended their hopes.

Now just South Africa stand between Warren Gatland's side and showdown against old rivals England.

What a prospect...

Image source, Rex Features

The stage is set, a spot in the World Cup final the prize.

But will it be Wales or South Africa who book a return to Yokohama next Saturday?

Image source, Rex Features