WALES expect centre Jonathan Davies to return in Sunday's World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

The Lions ace was named in the XV to face France in the last eight but withdrew on the day of the match because of the knee injury that he suffered in the Pool D win against Fiji.

Owen Watkin deputised against Les Bleus, with Leigh Halfpenny an unused replacement after being called up to the bench, but Wales are hopeful of having talisman Davies back to face the Boks.

"He seems OK. He is getting back to it, so I would like to think he is going to take a full part this week in training and obviously fit for Sunday," said skills coach Neil Jenkins.

"He is a key player for us, a big player. He trained most of the week last week, but didn't feel he was quite right.

"It's an important game on Sunday, and we need all hands on deck to get through that match.

"Owen stepped up, he has been there before for us. He is an exceptional talent and did pretty well.

"But Jon is a world-class player and you need your world-class players fit and hopefully he will be available for selection."

South Africa knocked Warren Gatland's side out of the 2015 World Cup, winning a tense quarter-final at Twickenham, and both Wales' game and the England versus New Zealand last-four clash could easily go right to the wire.

"These semi-finals are huge games, they are going to be fiercely-contested and there won't be a great deal in them," Jenkins said.

"They could easily go to extra-time and sudden death (penalty shoot-out) but obviously from our perspective it would great to get it done in 80 minutes. I am sure South Africa feel the same as well.

"South Africa are an outstanding side. They are uncompromising, they are tough, physical and with some hugely-talented players.

"It's a very tough game for us, but we have done pretty well against them in the last few years.

"But Sunday is a different kettle of fish, a World Cup semi-final. We need to put it all on the line."