The World Champions and the champions of Europe collide in Bloemfontein on Saturday in the first Test of Wales’s tour of South Africa with Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland admitting this will be the acid test of just how far Wales have come under him – and how far they still have to go.

“If we can live with them then we will have achieved a lot,” said 2008 Grand Slam winning coach Gatland. “For us it is about seeing how much progress we have to make over the next couple of years – and how much we have to learn – while also earning some respect from the South African players and public.

“We have picked a pack to compete physically with the South Africans but they are World Champions and if they keep the ball on the park and put us under pressure we will find it difficult."