WALES PRAY FOR AUTUMN REIGN AS GATLAND SAYS: LET’S MAKE HISTORY, BOYS

Wales v South Africa Principality Stadium, 5.20pm

WARREN GATLAND insists Wales need no extra motivation for today’s “cup final” with South Africa at the Principality Stadium. His side can secure a first autumn clean sweep and extend their unbeaten run to nine matches with victory over the Springboks. Wales are in great form and know all too well what’s on the line in Cardiff.

Gatland (left) said: “I haven’t had to say anything. The players are aware it’s a cup final situation and it makes the coach’s job easy.

“It’s like when you play the last game of a Six Nations for a Grand Slam. They know they can do something special. There is no lack of motivation for that. A clean sweep in the autumn would be pretty special and it hasn’t been done here before.

“They are very well aware of what that means and the consequences for us as a team going forwards.”

Wales have secured November wins over Scotland, Australia and Tonga – and sit third in World Rugby’s rankings.

Gareth Anscombe has the nod at fly-half in what is expected to be a tight encounter. Centre Jonathan Davies said: “This is an opportunity to do something we’ve never done before and it’s a big game.

“There is a lot expected of the squad, but we don’t feel the pressure.

“We are potentially going under the radar, but if no one talks about us it doesn’t really affect us.

“I don’t think the boys are crying out for attention.”