Wales v South Africa LIVE: Rugby result and reaction from World Cup warm-up in Cardiff

Captain Morgan in the driving seat

With Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan leading Wales in two of their three preparation Tests, he is now an odds-on favourite to be the World Cup captain. The 23-year-old set a high bar during Wales’ 20-9 victory over England on August 5, and he has been handed the reins against South Africa.

Gatland appointed a 22-year-old Sam Warburton as his World Cup skipper in 2011, and Morgan is out of a similar mould as an outstanding performer who has huge respect from playing peers and coaches alike. No one can seriously question his credentials for the job.

Last-chance saloon?

Wales’ World Cup hopefuls will know within 48 hours of the final whistle against South Africa whether they have made Gatland’s squad. A tough preparation period has included training camps in Switzerland and Turkey, plus home and away appointments with England, and decision day is now looming.

Wales currently have a 48-strong group while only two players – injured pair Gareth Anscombe and Taulupe Faletau – will not have been involved in the warm-ups, although they are widely expected to make the World Cup squad. Today’s game sees some players entering the last-chance saloon.

Aaron Wainwright admits Wales will face a team that sets the bar in terms of physicality when they meet World Cup warm-up opponents South Africa.

Wales’ final preparation Test promises to be a full-on spectacle at the Principality Stadium, with reigning world champions South Africa parading many of their star names.

Fit-again captain Siya Kolisi returns to the starting line-up after recovering from a serious knee injury, while 390 caps worth of experience up front also includes players such as Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit.

“We have spoken about physicality all week,” Wales No 8 Wainwright said. “If there is a team you are going to come up against at international level that is going to set the bar physicality-wise it is going to be South Africa.

“We have spoken about what we can bring to them in the physical test. Let’s not wait for them to bring the challenge to us. Let’s get off the line and meet them and show what we can do physically.”

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been included in the squad for next month’s Rugby World Cup but other key players are left out because of injury, including influential fly-half Handre Pollard and World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am.

Kolisi had major knee surgery in April but South Africa are confident he will be fit in time for their first pool game against Scotland in Marseille on September 10.

There are 12 World Cup debutants but the Boks kept the bulk of the side that won the tournament in Japan four years ago.

But Am, who twisted his knee in a warm-up Test against Argentina on Saturday, and Pollard, who has a long-running calf injury, were among the notable omissions when the squad was unveiled at an elaborate televised ceremony on Tuesday.

South Africa are boosted by the return of Siya Kolisi in the back row, with the flanker having made a quick recovery from an injury that at one time appeared to threaten his participation in the defence of their World Cup crown.

Eben Etzebeth gets a week off at lock but the second row is suitably sizeable with Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman paired, while Jasper Wiese gets the nod at No 8.

With Lukhanyo Am and Handre Pollard injury absentees from Jacques Nienaber’s World Cup squad, Jesse Kriel and Manie Libbok are likely tournament starters, and the same might be true for Canan Moodie with Makazole Mapimpi and Kurt-Lee Arendse also vying for a wing place.

Jaden Hendrikse starts in the absence of Faf de Klerk while the bench includes a familiar six forwards, two backs split.

South Africa XV: Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe; Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman; Siya Kolisi (capt.), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese; Jaden Hendrikse, Manie Libbok; Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Canan Moodie; Willie le Roux.

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen; Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.

British and Irish Lions Liam Williams and Dan Biggar will miss Wales’ final World Cup warm-up game against South Africa. Both players had been selected to start the match in Cardiff, but have been withdrawn as a precautionary measure.

The Welsh Rugby Union said that full-back Williams had a tight hamstring, with Biggar suffering from back irritation.

Cai Evans is promoted from the replacements’ bench to make his Test debut as Williams’ replacement, while Sam Costelow replaces fly-half Biggar. Evans’ spot on the bench is filled by Scarlets back Tom Rogers.

Wales XV: Corey Domachowski, Elliot Dee, Keiron Assiratti; Ben Carter, Will Rowlands; Dan Lydiate, Jac Morgan (capt.), Aaron Wainwright; Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow; Rio Dyer, Johnny Williams, Mason Grady, Alex Cuthbert; Cai Evans.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Nicky Smith, Henry Thomas, Teddy Williams, Taine Basham; Tomos Williams, Max Llewellyn, Tom Rogers.

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Wales vs South Africa in the latest Rugby World Cup warm-up.

We’ll bring you all the latest updates as Wales play their final warm-up game, just 48 hours before Warren Gatland confirms his final 33-man squad for the World Cup, while inspirational captain Siya Kolisi returns from a long-term injury for the Springboks.