Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Some great news for Warren Gatland this week.

Welsh Rugby Union boss Nigel Walker has backed him to lead Wales to the 2027 World Cup "whatever happens" at this year's tournament in France.

Gatland's five-year contract has a post-2023 World Cup clause.

But Walker, who will become WRU director of rugby following the appointment of Abi Tierney as chief executive, does not envisage its use.

"I cannot see any circumstances where we would invoke that clause," said Walker.

"We feel we have one of the best - if not the best - coaches in the world.

"The contract was for five years and there is a clause but I cannot see any circumstances whereby we would invoke that.

"If you're going to change the coach then you would do it for the better. But whatever happens in the World Cup, Warren Gatland remains one of the best coaches in the world."

Read more: Gatland backed to lead Wales to 2027 World Cup

Despite the feel-good factor of beating England here a fortnight ago, defeat at Twickenham last Saturday saw Wales slip to tenth place in the world rankings.

That equals their lowest ranking and - tellingly - saw them slip below World Cup rivals Fiji, who they face next month in the World Cup opener.

Wales can't slip any further today though could actually jump to seventh with a big win - by more than 15 points. Fiji face France tonight.

Image source, BBC Sport

There's a bit of silverware up for grabs today.

Created in 2007 to celebrate the centenary of games between the two nations, the Prince William Cup is named after the vice Royal patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.

However there were plenty who wanted it named after “the real” Prince of Wales, former Llanelli and British & Irish Lions star Ray Gravell, who had died just weeks before the first game in November 2007.

The trophy was designed by jewellery designers Mari Thomas and Nicola Palterman, is silver lined with 23 carat gold plate and was chosen by Prince William.

South Africa have won 12 of the 18 games since it was first presented.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Emyr Lewis
Former Wales flanker on BBC Radio Cymru

I think Jac Morgan will be the captain for the World Cup. He's assured of his place, there's no doubt about it.

Knowing Warren Gatland he may well pick two captains for France. It will be interesting when Dewi Lake and Morgan get picked in the same game, who will be picked as captain.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Small point but the Principality Stadium roof will be open today despite the Welsh Rugby Union previously saying it would be closed.

Turns out there has been a “minor electrical fault” and they can't close the roof.

Let's hope that's not some sort of omen for Wales today.

Image source, Getty Images

What a boost for the Springboks today to have their World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi back from injury.

Kolisi has not played since April because of a knee injury.

But the flanker, 32, starts today in South Africa's penultimate match ahead of this year's tournament.

"It's nice to have him back and have him playing again," said South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber.

"He's worked hard and he really deserves it. The amount of effort and sacrifice that Siya put in to be ready now - this is probably a reward for him to get an opportunity to play

"It's nice for the team to have him back because he's been an integral part of this team over the last six years that we've been together."

Kolisi and prop Ox Nche - who is among the replacements - are set for their first Test appearances of the year after recovering from injury, while scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse is also back involved after a family bereavement.

South Africa: W le Roux; C Moodie, J Kriel, D de Allende, C Kolbe; M Libbok, J Hendrikse; S Kitshoff, M Marx, F Malherbe, J Kleyn, RG Snyman, S Kolisi, P-S du Toit, J Wiese.

Replacements: B Mbonambi, O Nche, V Koch, F Mostert, M van Staden, D Vermeulen, G Williams, D Willemse.

Cai Evans will be following in the footsteps of his father Ieuan Evans - who won 72 caps for Wales - this afternoon.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Warren Gatland has been raiding the bathroom cupboard for cotton wool this week to wrap up some of his key players.

Dan Biggar and Liam Williams were due to start but have withdrawn following niggles to their back and hamstring respectively.

Sam Costelow gets only his second start at fly-half while Cai Evans, originally among the replacements, will now make his Wales from kick-off.

Wales stressed the withdrawals of Biggar and Williams were precautionary and that they are not World Cup doubts.

"They are not serious at all," said Gatland. "If this was a World Cup semi-final, Dan Biggar would have been fine for the weekend.

"We are just taking a precautionary measure. There is no need for us to take a risk with them."

Alex Cuthbert then followed the withdrawals when he failed to shrug off a calf problem.

That means Tom Rogers gets another chance to impress after playing at Twickenham last week. Louis Rees-Zammit is named as a replacement.

Wales: C Evans; Rogers, Grady, J Williams, Dyer; Costelow, Hardy; Domachowski, Dee, Assiratti, Carter, Rowlands, Lydiate, Morgan (capt), Wainwright.

Replacements: Parry, N Smith, H Thomas, Teddy Williams, Basham, Tomos Williams, Llewellyn, Rees-Zammit.

Image source, Getty Images

Prynhawn da and welcome to Cardiff for the final game of Wales' preparations for the World Cup.

And what better way to get set for the tournament than against the reigning champions.

It's also the perfect game for players to prove they deserve a ticket to France when Warren Gatland names his 33-strong squad on Monday.

He'll probably be watching this one through his fingers in the hope of avoiding any major injuries... which is always likely against the Boks.

South Africa have one more game before the World Cup - a small matter of the All Blacks next Friday at Twickenham.

So while the result may not be everything today, performances certainly are.

Wales have had a few issues this week with injuries, so let's have a look at the teams.