WALES will play all three southern hemisphere big guns at the Millennium Stadium next autumn, writes Chris Kirwan.

Warren Gatland’s side will host New Zealand, South Africa and Australia along with Fiji with the Springboks game outside of the IRB’s Test window. The dates and kick-off times are yet to be confirmed.

Wales have won just one game – against the Wallabies in 2008 – in 23 fixtures against Sanzar countries under Gatland.

Their chances of beating the Boks for the first time since 1999 will not be helped by the absence of a number of overseas players.

"We have consistently said, if you want to be the best, you have to play the best and the 2014 autumn schedule reconfirms that commitment,” said WRU chief executive Roger Lewis.

"We have just witnessed another exhilarating, tough autumn series and next year will be ideal preparation for the squad ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

"We will only have 12 matches in total in the run-up to our opening game at the tournament, so we must secure every opportunity to test ourselves at the highest level.”