NEWPORT Gwent Dragons threequarter Hal Luscombe faces one of the most emotional occasions of his career when he steps out on to the Millennium Stadium pitch on Saturday.

The 23-year-old makes his first major appearance at home for his adopted country against the nation of his berth and where he lived until he was 18.

Luscombe wins his fifth cap for Wales and plays on the right wing against Tri Nations champions South Africa who made it clear on arrival yesterday that they are chasing the first Springbok Grand Slam of Northern Hemisphere victories since Avril Malan's 1961 tourists.

"It's going to be very emotional," admitted Luscombe. "It's difficult, but sometimes I have to tell myself to stop thinking about the South African anthem. Sometimes I just click into the tune in my head, but I'm qualified for Wales now and everyone here has been so good to me.

"I'm so proud to be a converted Welshman, I can't overstate the way I've been treated with people most forthcoming and the most sincere I've ever met.

"It gives me the chance to give something back, and to win for Wales against South Africa would make me so happy.

"They do push a lot of coloured people in South Africa. You could think you are the best player in South Africa but not necessarily play.

"I came to play at Newport and I'm so happy with Newport. It helped having people like Gary Teichmann here and Tony Brown has been fantastic and very understanding."

Luscombe is in no doubt what Wales have to do if they are to catch South Africa cold in their first game on tour - stop their forward platform.

"We've got to concentrate on matching them up front, we have to if we are to have any chance," he said.

"They are definitely the best team in the Southern Hemisphere, we'll see after the tour where they are.

"It's going to be a tall order for us, but there there's a good chance we can surprise them.

"South Africa have got an extra edge and I can't wait to play against them and try to turn around the result in Pretoria in the summer."

Luscombe admits he wasn't even thinking about playing for Wales against South Africa when he damaged his shoulder playing for the Dragons a few weeks ago, and he's happy enough playing on the right wing.

"The specialist was saying it would be six weeks, but I was training after three and I haven't had any comebacks," he said. "It's good to get back in especially against Edinburgh.

"I do prefer the centre, but I've got no problems playing on the wing. I like carrying the ball and hopefully they'll get the ball out to me.

"You've got to be better under the high ball on the wing, but I've played five Tests there and I won't be holding back."

l Dragons scrum half Gareth Cooper has pulled out of the Wales 22 after all because of his knee injury.