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Wales are set to run a late fitness check on hooker Huw Bennett as they prepare for next weekend's Millennium Stadium clash against world champions South Africa.

The Ospreys hooker limped off during his team's 23-19 Anglo-Welsh Cup defeat against London Irish.

He was helped from the pitch, causing Wales coach Warren Gatland a degree of concern before the autumn Test opener. Initial suggestions were that Bennett, who has 18 caps, had suffered a minor ankle strain.

"We are unsure about his injury at this stage," Ospreys coach Jonathan Humphreys said. "He is being looked at by the medical staff, and he will report to the Wales camp on Monday."

The 25-year-old Bennett is favourite to wear the number two jersey next Saturday, although Gatland possesses quality alternatives in Bennett's fellow Osprey Richard Hibbard and Scarlets' Matthew Rees.

Gatland is due to name his team on Tuesday, with Scarlets wing Mark Jones a probable absentee because of knee trouble.

That could open the door for uncapped 19-year-old Cardiff Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny to face the Springboks - and potentially mark South African try machine Bryan Habana.

Halfpenny has impressed in a handful of outings for the Blues this term, showcasing pace and power that many judges believe will lead to a long Test career.

His Blues colleague Jamie Roberts is earmarked to start at outside centre, partnering Gavin Henson in midfield, with the experienced Stephen Jones favourite for fly-half duties ahead of James Hook.

Hook, though, reminded Gatland of his impressive big-match temperament by delivering a faultless goalkicking display for the Ospreys against Irish.

In the forwards, a 50th cap beckons for Ospreys prop Adam Jones, while in-form Blues number eight Andy Powell should make his Test debut alongside back-row colleagues Ryan Jones and Martyn Williams.

The Springboks arrived in Cardiff on Saturday for a tour that also includes appointments with Scotland and England.

"The Wales game will determine the tone for the rest of the tour, and that it is why it is important for us to do well," coach Peter de Villiers said.

"Wales were deserved winners of the Six Nations [last season], and will be a lot better than they were when we faced them in South Africa earlier this year.

"We will focus on what we need to do and look to pick up where we left off in the final Tri-Nations Test against Australia.

"This tour is also important to our longer-term preparations for the Lions tour next year, but we are not losing sight of the immediate task at hand."

Sporting Life / Eurosport