Cape Town - Springbok fans woke with fear and trepidation at the news World Rugby had appointed Jerome Garces as referee for Sunday's Rugby World Cup semi-final between South Africa and Wales in Yokohama.

Kick-off is at 11:00 SA time.

Social media went into a frenzy and WhatsApp groups went into overdrive as an uneasy, sinking feeling set in.

The Springboks have a well-documented shocking record under the Frenchman, winning a mere four of the 14 Tests under Garces' watch - or 29%.

Fears stem in main from the fact the Springboks have a 'perfect' record under Garces against their arch-rivals, the All Blacks, of: Played six, lost six.

The Springboks have also never beaten the Welsh under Garces, having lost their only previous encounter 24-22 in Cardiff in 2017.

Earlier in the World Cup, the Springboks - and their fans - were unhappy with a number of Garces' calls during their 23-13 pool defeat to New Zealand.

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Garces was also the referee when the Springboks famously lost to Japan at the 2015 World Cup in Brighton.

South Africa’s record with Jerome Garces as referee:

2013 v Australia, Cape Town - won 28-8

2013 v Scotland, Edinburgh - won 28-0

2014 v New Zealand, Wellington - lost 14-10

2014 v Italy, Padova - won 22-6

2015 v New Zealand, Johannesburg - lost 27-20

2015 v Japan, Brighton - lost 34-32

2015 v New Zealand, London - lost 20-18

2016 v Argentina, Salta - lost 26-24

2016 v New Zealand, Durban - lost 57-15

2016 v England, London - lost 37-21

2017 v New Zealand, Cape Town - lost 25-24

2017 v Wales, Cardiff - lost 24-22

2018 v Australia, Port Elizabeth - won 23-12

2019 v New Zealand, Yokohama - lost 23-13

- Compiled by Sport24 staff