LOCAL rugby figures are tipping Wales to reach the final of the Rugby World Cup.

In what promises to be a huge weekend, Warren Gatland's heroes will take on South Africa in Yokohama on Sunday.

This will be Wales' third World Cup semi-final, eight years on from their most recent last-four appearance.

Looking ahead to the clash, Bala chairman Tony Parry said: "Roll on South Africa!

"I think there's only going to be one score in it and hopefully it will be in our favour.

"It's going to be tough and in the semi finals of the World Cup, you don't expect any free passes."

Wales edged out France by a single point in a tense quarter-final last weekend and Llangollen Rugby Club's Huw Evans said: "Wales certainly don't do it the easy way.

"But a win is a win so on to next weekend

"Winning when you are not playing well is a good trait to have.

"If we can play our game and get our back three with hands on the ball, I feel we can cause them problems.

"George North is due a big game."

Evans is predicting a 23-18 win for Wales.

Clwb Rygbi Dinbych's Jeff Jenkins added: "Despite Wales' sequence of wins over South Africa in recent years we will still start as underdogs against a powerful Springbok team.

"But this Welsh team have shown the character and determination not to give in and the ability to come from behind to spring a surprise.

"I hope this will see them through what will be a massive physical encounter.

"I'm hoping for a Welsh win - by a single score by 21 points to 19."

Ruthin Rugby Club's John Palmer has been out in Japan cheering on the Welsh team and he said: "The semi-final on Sunday is hard to call, but if Wales turn up and play better than in the quarter-final, they can win.

"I haven’t seen the injury list from last Sunday, but we need all our key players fit.

"It will be attritional I think and perhaps not pretty to watch.

"Score wise, perhaps 21-15 to Wales."