Bradley Davies has no doubt that Wales' preparations have been spot on for their latest attempt to floor a southern hemisphere heavyweight.
The Cardiff Blues lock will make his first Wales appearance at the Millennium Stadium since last November when Rugby Championship runners-up South Africa provide the opposition on Saturday.
The Wales captain Sam Warburton, and their coaching team, have underlined the crucial importance of beginning to take major foreign scalps, something that has eluded them since 1999 (South Africa), 1953 (New Zealand) and 2008 (Australia). That deafeat of the Wallabies is the solitary success during more than 20 attempts in head coach Warren Gatland's five-year reign, even though Wales have won three Six Nations titles, two grand slams and reached a World Cup semi-final under the New Zealander's direction.
Wales now have a first tilt at the Springboks since suffering an agonising 17-16 defeat against them in the World Cup pool phase two years ago, and 40 times-capped Davies is relishing the prospect. "South Africa are going to challenge us front-on with their style of play," said Davies, who has been recalled as Alun-Wyn Jones' second-row partner after missing last season's RBS 6 Nations because of an ankle injury. "We prepared for it in training last week. Training was physical, and hopefully we can transfer it to Saturday's game.
"It was the best week's training I have had with Wales. I have kind of been building momentum and I feel I am back to where I know I can and want to be. I feel I am ready to run through brick walls, which is normally a good sign."
Davies was on the bench when Wales lost to South Africa in Wellington, yet in many ways it was a performance of sufficient high quality to underpin their push towards the latter knockout stages.
"We were written off before that game, but we were well in it," he added. "Because of that match we turned the corner and the snowball effect gave us momentum to reach the semi-finals."
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