Henson, arguably the most naturally-talented player available to new Wales coach Mike Ruddock, can expect a severe examination from powerhouse Springbok midfield pairing Marius Joubert and De Wet Barry.

But a nation expects, given the 22-year-olds supreme Celtic League form in Neath-Swansea Ospreys colours this season - and he does not intend to disappoint.

I like having pressure on me, people talking me up, said Henson. Thats when I perform best - it is ideal for me.

Henson, full-back or fly-half for the Ospreys, has been handed inside-centre duties this weekend, with Wales targeting only a second win in 18 attempts against Jake Whites Tri-Nations champions.

South Africa are red-hot favourites to successfully clear the first hurdle of a potential Grand Slam tour - and they have also arrived in Cardiff after smashing Wales 53-18 just four months ago.

Henson featured at full-back on that occasion; yet he believes Wales have a genuine chance of emulating Rob Howleys 1999 team which defeated South Africa 29-19 to mark the Millennium Stadiums official opening.

New captain Gareth Thomas and his immediate predecessor Colin Charvis are the only survivors from Wales starting line-up that day, but Henson is quietly confident of a repeat showing.

I had pre-season to think about the disappointment of Pretoria and I am determined to put things right, he said.

I think we will get the better of them this time, I really do.

We have got a lot of confident youngsters and we dont fear the Springboks. If we achieve 50-50 parity in the set-pieces we will be good enough to win, because we have one of the better back lines going.

But however free-spirited Wales might want to be, everything will revolve around the forward battle - where South Africa, at least on paper, hold all the aces through players like Schalk Burger, Joe Van Niekerk, Victor Matfield and Os du Randt.

Wales will give it their best shot but ultimately they could be on the wrong end of a defeat which might threaten their 17-point losing margin - a record reversal for the fixture at home - against South Africa in Cardiff eight years ago.

Wales: G Thomas; H Luscombe, S Parker, G Henson, S Williams; Stephen Jones, D Peel; Duncan Jones, Steve Jones, A Jones, B Cockbain, M Owen, Dafydd Jones, C Charvis, R Jones.

South Africa: P Montgomery; B Paulse, M Joubert, D Wet Barry, A Willemse; J van der Westhuyzen, F du Preez; O du Randt, J Smit, E Andrews, B Botha, V Matfield, S Burger, J Smith, J van Niekerk.