The 29-year-old has started in the last five matches, but left the field in the defeat against the Barbarians with an ankle injury.

Despite worries over his fitness, Marinos was determined to make the flight to South Africa and pay back Hansen for his support in the past season.

"I've been lucky enough to play in five successive internationals for Wales and I don't want to surrender the number 12 jersey," he said.

"It's been wonderful. Steve Hansen has shown a lot of faith in me and given me a chance when it's difficult to perform in one go, though you do need to perform at club level first.

"South Africa has got a bit more impetus about it because I'm from there and I'll be playing in front of their crowds again.

"It would be a very special day for me if I'm selected, especially playing against the Springboks."

The twisted ankle which troubled the former Western Stormers player has now healed sufficiently for Marinos to look ahead.

"The main thing is that all is fine with the ankle," he said.

"I did a strength test to see if there was any ligament damage, then light jogging and weight bearing activity.

"It all went fine and I got through it without any pain.

"I was very anxious, you brace yourself and always fear the worst. I had spent three weeks building up to the tour with all the hard work involved and suddenly it could have been all over."

Coach Hansen is looking forward to the challenge, but says he had hoped to have kept his side together for a bit longer.

"We have only had a week together, but there is already some momentum going.

"It would be nice to have a couple of months together and form a sort of mini-club side. That would speed up the process of getting over what we are trying to do."

Tour itinerary: 8 June: First Test at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein (kick-off 1605 BST).
15 June: Second Test at Newlands, Cape Town (kick-off 1605 BST).

Wales squad: Backs: K Morgan (Swansea), R Williams (Cardiff), J Storey (Neath), M Taylor (Swansea), J Robinson (Cardiff), A Marinos (Newport), T Shanklin (Saracens), C Morgan (Cardiff), S Jones (Llanelli), N Jenkins (Cardiff), D Peel (Llanelli), R Powell (Cardiff).
Forwards: I Thomas (Llanelli), G Jenkins (Pontypridd), M Madden (Llanelli), B Evans (Swansea), R McBryde (Llanelli), M Davies (Pontypridd), S Williams (London Irish), R Sidoli (Pontypridd), G Llewellyn (Neath), M Owen (Pontypridd), R Parks (Pontypridd), M Williams (Cardiff), G Thomas (Bath), C Charvis (Swansea, capt).