Wales will open their four-Test autumn programme against a resurgent Springboks side, revitalised under their new coach Jake White.

And the odds are stacked against Wales, who have only beaten South Africa on one previous occasion. In addition, their last outing was against South Africa four months ago, and resulted in a 53-18 defeat.

It will be the first game in Cardiff for new Wales coach Mike Ruddock, and Newport Gwent Dragons forward Owen believes that the players will relish the challenge.

Everyone is really excited, he said.

South Africa are a fantastic team, and it is going to be a massive challenge, but it is what we want.

We want to be playing against the best teams and try to compete with them. We will give it our best shot and hopefully, we can do well.

It is not something to be daunted about. This is what it is all about, playing at the Millennium Stadium in front of a packed house against one of the best teams in the world.

Wales have shown flashes of brilliance during the last 12 months, demonstrated by outstanding World Cup displays against New Zealand and England.

They also ran world champions England perilously close during last season's RBS 6 Nations Championship, yet the time has now arrived for Wales to start converting those narrow defeats into victories.

South Africa apart, Ruddock's men also face New Zealand, Romania and Japan this month, a series of games which could prove pivotal in terms of squad development.

We have been playing well, and improving all the time, Owen added. Within the squad, we feel confident that we can compete with anyone.

During the World Cup and then in the Six Nations, we've probably had the opportunities to win some big games, but we didn't quite close those games out.

It is a matter for us to find the knack of winning those games - it is a fine line between success and failure.

Owen missed the World Cup through injury, but has made up for lost time since then, proving himself as one of the most consistent forwards in British rugby and making him a strong contender for next summer's Lions tour to New Zealand.

Equally at home in the second row or back row, he is a key member of Ruddock's side.

To miss the World Cup was a devastating blow for me, but since then, I have just tried to make the most of it, he said.