James Hook
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

You talk about the selection of Costelow at 10, he hasn't had it all his way since the World Cup.

Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, they're definitely going to come down the channel of Sam Costelow and Ben Thomas today.

It's clear that Wales' problems run deeper than just Warren Gatland.

Former captain Ken Owens was a guest on Scrum V The Warm Up this week and he questioned what the big plan is for Welsh rugby.

Siya Kolisi and Dewi Lake lead out the teams into the cauldron of noise and pyrotechnics.

The anthems are next, starting with our visitors.

The future of Warren Gatland has been debated in rugby clubs up and down the country and it's proving quite the divisive subject.

Here's what a couple of ex-British and Irish Lions think.

Team Stay

Former England prop Phil Vickery:

"He’s done incredibly well for Wales and if anybody can do it, that’s your man.

"It's results-driven and he's under the cosh, but if I was a young Welshman wanting to break out, Warren Gatland is your man to bring people in and make something happen.

"Wales don’t have the depth of squad, but he's been there before and done it."

Team Go

Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin:

"I feel sorry for him after all he did for Welsh rugby.

"Gatland offered a short-term fix when he returned, but now it's time for a new coach with a fresh voice bringing fresh ideas.

"We can't play physical rugby any more because we lack size or power, but we're not seeing a plan B and there hasn't been any progress."

Ken Owens
Former Wales hooker on BBC Radio Cymru

They’re the best team in the world at the moment, particularly with their strength in depth. No one expects anything from Wales today. So just show some character, dig into them and see what happens.

James Hook
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

This Springbok team make changes, they can make five or six changes and it doesn't upset the team in any way, shape or form. Sometimes it strengthens the team.

They've made a change at half-backs, the Hendrikse brothers are playing, so maybe an area for Wales to target.

Image source, Getty Images

It's hardly surprising, but Rob Howley has also given his backing to Warren Gatland.

Wales' assistant coach said Gatland is the "the best coach in the world" and believes he will not leave his role.

"He's won Grand Slams and there is no better coach to have in your camp than Warren," said Howley.

"He gives players the confidence and self-belief they need to go out and play."

The players appear to be on the same page.

Aaron Wainwright was the latest to speak out this week, insisting the squad are fully behind their coach.

"We're 100% all still together. It's the players who are out there on the pitch, so we have to step up," said Wainwright.

"We've got ourselves into this, so we are the ones that are going to have to get ourselves out of it."

Siwan Lillicrap
Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Wales

If you look at how many Welsh players played in the World Cup or the one before, the numbers aren't there.

If you look at this South African side they are a different breed with regard to experience.

They've made changes to the side from that Test last week to their pack, but you still look at that pack and who's starting, it's still lethal.

The phase we're at at the moment, it's a young inexperienced Welsh squad at the moment and it hard for them to deal with the amount of losses.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland: "Last week's result hurts, and we are just as disappointed by it as the fans.

"There were good elements that we can definitely build on going into Saturday, but we have to improve our accuracy.

"We know what a quality side South Africa are and the physicality they bring. This week we need to show real courage and front-up against the world champions."

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus: "This is our last match of the season, and we are determined to finish the year on a positive note.

"Wales are a proud nation with a world-renowned coach in Warren and they'll do everything to finish their campaign on a high note.

"We'd love to finish the tour unbeaten, but we are well aware of the fact that we've have a few close results against them over the years at the Principality Stadium."

Image source, Getty Images

Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi wants to finish a "special year" with a complete performance against Wales.

South Africa followed up retaining the World Cup last year by winning the 2024 Rugby Championship.

They have won 14 of their last 16 Tests, with their only two defeats during that period both by a single point.

But Kolisi believes his side can improve.

"It's been a special year and hopefully we can make it even more special with this last game," he said.

"We want to make sure we get a better performance. In the last few games we've got the win but did not achieve what we wanted, which is a more complete performance.

"Winning is the most important thing but we are looking for that team performance to close off the year properly."

Siwan Lillicrap
Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Wales

Dewi Lake only has 17 caps and is a young player, but he doesn't look like a young player in this Welsh side.

When he goes off we can see the impact that has to the team, not just at set piece but also around the park as well, he's such a physical bloke.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Image source, Getty Images

One of Gatland's supporters is South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus.

"Warren can't all of a sudden become a bad coach with his track record," said double World Cup winner Erasmus.

"The players that they have, if you look at them individually, there are some world-class players in there.

"I know the record of losing 11 on the trot is not great. I just know Warren is a great coach and I know they've got great players.

"It's not quite clicking, but he is a guy who has fixed things before."

Gatland and Erasmus have not only locked horns for Wales and South Africa, they were also opposing coaches when the Springboks defeated the British and Irish Lions in 2021.

"Coaching can become lonely, it's cut-throat. Whenever someone is under the pump, you don't wish anything bad on that person," added Erasmus.

"I wouldn't say I'd love him to beat us, but I'd love him to be successful. I've got a lot of respect for him and hope he gets the respect from everyone he deserves."

While a lot has been said about Warren Gatland's future during this autumn series, he gained a lot of credit for the honest way he conducted his post-match interviews after the Australian defeat.

The 61-year-old New Zealander said then he would agree to "whatever the best decision is for Welsh rugby".

This week he said he has the desire to remain in post and asked "for a little bit of time" to turn his team's fortunes around as Wales aim to avoid a 12th straight loss.

Rassie Erasmus has spent most of the warm-up in the centre of the pitch, taking in the atmosphere, with his eye mostly on Wales.

I suspect he's looking for Warren Gatland to shake his hand.

To put some perspective on how inexperienced Wales are compared to tonight's opponents, take a look at these stats:

• South Africa's 23-man squad has 963 caps compared to Wales' 339
• South Africa's starting XV have 638 caps compared to Wales' 214

• South Africa locks Etzebeth (130) and Mostert (77) have almost as many caps as Wales' entire team

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has spoken about the significance of pulling on the Springbok jersey and how much it means to the players.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

One name I didn't mention in the South Africa squad is Cameron Hanekom.

The Bulls number eight is set to make his debut from the bench, which would end slim hopes of him ever playing for Wales.

He qualifies through his Welsh grandmother, but he admits he never planned to play for anyone else.

"Since being a child it’s been a dream to play for the Springboks, now the dream will become a reality on Saturday," said Hanekom.

"It’s unbelievable. I’m very grateful and privileged to be here. I hope to take the opportunity with both hands.

"It never crossed my mind to play for Wales, it was more the media that speculated it."

Image source, Getty Images

Today marks the 43rd meeting between the two teams, with South Africa dominating the series with 34 wins compared to Wales' seven.

But it's not all doom and gloom for Wales, their record in Cardiff offers a glimmer of hope.

Over the past 10 years, the sides have met six times in the Welsh capital, with Wales winning four of those encounters.

But looking at the bigger picture, it's pretty much all green and gold.

Last seven meetings:

• 2024: Wales 13-41 South Africa (Twickenham)
• 2023: Wales 16-52 South Africa (Cardiff)
• 2022: South Africa 30-14 Wales (Cape Town)
• 2022: South Africa 12-13 Wales (Bloemfontein)
• 2022: South Africa 32-29 Wales (Pretoria)
• 2021: Wales 18-23 South Africa (Cardiff)
• 2019: Wales 16-19 South Africa (Yokohama)*

*Denotes Rugby World Cup

Scott Williams
Former Wales centre on BBC Radio Wales

Obviously we know how good South Africa are and how many World Cup winners they've got in their side.

It's going to be a tough challenge for some of them, maybe the most physical game that they've played so far.

I'm sure that's what they'll be focusing on this week, just putting a performance in and trying to front-up physically.

They'll be wanting to prove a point this weekend.

With Storm Bert thrashing the country, fans will be relieved the roof will be closed for this Test match.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency