Wales vs South Africa live: Latest score and updates as weakened hosts face daunting clash with Springboks in Cardiff

Skipper Dewi Lake insists under-strength Wales are raring to go against South Africa in a fixture that has provoked widespread bemusement throughout Welsh rugby.

Wales are without their 13 England and France-based players at Principality Stadium because the game falls outside World Rugby’s official Test window.

The Welsh Rugby Union has been heavily criticised for arranging a fixture viewed as a money-making exercise and one that could do significant damage to the morale of Steve Tandy’s squad.

Wales showed green shoots in last weekend’s 52-26 defeat to New Zealand, breaching the All Blacks defence four times and being in the contest until the last 20 minutes.

But that work is at serious risk of being ripped up against the world champions, with Tandy having had to select a weakened side drawn from the four Welsh regions.

“It’s an opportunity to play for your country against the best team in the world,” Ospreys hooker Lake said at the captain’s run on Friday when it was suggested to him that this was a needless game.

“Look, a chance to come in the stadium and pull the jersey on. I’m never not going to be happy about that.

“I think everyone in the squad feels the same.”

Yes, one has to question the thinking of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) in arranging this out-of-window meeting with the world champions. The challenge today would be stiff enough were Steve Tandy able to select his full side.

For the final time in 2025, there’s international rugby to bring you this afternoon as a weakened Wales and depleted Springboks meet in a fixture that would seem to suit few in Cardiff. The world champions are heavy favourites as they take on a home team without any of their England or France-based players – surely Steve Tandy’s side can’t spring a shock?

Kick off is at 3.10pm GMT.