RYAN Jones is set to become Wales' latest cap, for the Newport-born youngster could go straight into the Welsh team to face South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Jones played for Newport Youth but the intense competition when he was still a teenager made him leave and he went to UWIC and played for Bridgend.

He then joined the Celtic Warriors and when they were controversially wound up joined Neath-Swansea Ospreys for whom he has been starring as a number eight after starting out as a lock and also playing at blindside.

He would not be drawn on making his major Wales debut but said: "It would be nice to play against South Africa whether it's at number eight or in any jersey," he said.

"South Africa are a class side and Berger in the back row has got everything. We've got to meet fire with fire. If we stand up and be counted we'll do well.

"They've got a big, physical pack, but if you worry too much about it you leave yourself open.

"The only way you can beat them is play a team game against them.

"They have got a massive scrum, but we've got a mobile pack and I honestly believe with the preparation and everything that's going on, Wales can win. We are competing these days."

Jones reckons the narrow defeats Welsh regions have been suffering in Europe could easily have been wins and predicts they will be pretty soon.

"Games have been close with only one or two points in it whereas two or three years ago we wouldn't even have got close," he said.

"But the time will come when we'll be winning and it'll be five or six victories out of eight games, not just one. It's only a matter of time."

Coach Mike Ruddock will be in charge for the first time in a major international in Wales and he appeals for the public to get behind the team.

"We're trying to create some excitement about this team and it's a huge test for me and the team," he said.

"We are playing the Tri Nations champions, we've only got a few days whereas they've had weeks to prepare in camp, but we've got to believe in ourselves.

"We need the whole of the Welsh public behind us, we've got to put the displays of Europe behind us and get behind the Welsh team.

"Everything is geared to fronting up to the physical challenge of South Africa. They are Tri Nations champions and playing great rugby so we've got to get a big line speed defence and stop them crossing the gain line, then we might stop them getting outside us."