Rees relishing Bok showdown

Cardiff - Wales hooker Matthew Rees believes his side can use their forthcoming clash with South Africa to make a statement to the rest of the rugby world.

Warren Gatland's side face the world champion Springboks in Cardiff next Saturday before heading to New Zealand for Test matches in Dunedin on June 19 and then Hamilton seven days later.

Rees knows his team would receive a major confidence-boost and send shock waves through the sport if they can produce winning performances against such strong opposition.

"We ran them close the last time we played the Springboks in Cardiff, and playing the best teams on a regular basis can only make us a better side," he said.

"They have made some changes and are also missing some key players. Our squad has been together for a long time, and now is the time for us to make a statement.

"Every player is looking forward to this game with South Africa. It is big for us, and it's going to be key to start the summer with a good win."

Rees, who is set to win his 37th cap in the South Africa clash, is convinced Wales can benefit from the experience several of the team got against the Springboks during last year's British and Irish Lions tour.

Although the Scarlets hooker's tour ended when he was concussed during the third Test win for the Lions in Johannesburg, he still talks with fondness about the whole experience.

"It's great for us to be playing South Africa at home, and it is a positive for me and the other (Wales) boys who were in the Lions team that beat them in the third Test," he said.

"The Lions tour didn't start that well for me, but I got more game time and became more comfortable as it went on.

"Being around players like Paul O'Connell and Phil Vickery - those type of players who have been there and done it before - helped me.

"It was good to be in their company, taking useful things from them. You get to know them the more time you spend with them.

"Not many people gave me a chance going out there to be involved in the Tests, but that made me more determined to fight for a place and get in the 22 for the Tests."

Rees ended up featuring in eight of the 10 Lions tour fixtures and he added: "Every single game on that tour was tough. But the three Tests, especially the second (in Pretoria), was as brutal as anything I have ever been involved in.

"You don't expect anything else in South Africa, though. It was just great to be part of such occasions - I learnt so much during the tour."