We owe the Boks one, says scrumhalf

Tokyo – Wales scrumhalf Gareth Davies said yesterday the Six Nations champions had a score to settle in today’s World Cup semifinal against South Africa.

The Springboks broke Welsh hearts at the quarterfinal stage in London four years ago after a stunning Fourie du Preez try five minutes from time.

But Davies, who was on the scoresheet himself in that stinging 23-19 defeat, warned that Wales had unfinished business against South Africa in Yokohama on Sunday, despite winning their last four meetings and five out of the last six.

“We were quite unlucky to lose four years ago,” he said as Wales look to reach their first World Cup final, where they would face either defending champions New Zealand or England.

“It was a good bit of skill by them at the end to score a try late on. We were devastated with that because we felt we deserved to win that game,” added Davies, who is set to earn his 50th Wales cap this weekend.

“We feel like we owe them one – that will be in the back of our minds and hopefully we can get one over them this week.”

Wales, who huffed and puffed to beat 14-man France 20-19 last weekend and book their place in the last four, have suffered a major blow with star fullback Liam Williams ruled out for the rest of the tournament after injuring his ankle in training.

Coach Warren Gatland named Leigh Halfpenny as his replacement among three changes with Jonathan Davies returning from injury at outside centre and Ross Moriarty coming in for the injured Josh Navidi (hamstring) at eight. –