By Gareth Thomas
Wales captain and record try scorer |
Leading my country out for the first time since being made captain will be a tremendous honour, but above that it is all about a truly massive game of rugby against South Africa.
 |  South Africa are probably the best in the world at the moment |
Our squad of 22 will be out to give their all, not just me as captain - we will all be equal out on that pitch. It's been a difficult build-up because I was told that Toulouse were not releasing me for the game, then at the 12th hour that I would be allowed to go to Wales.
I like to get a better focus on a game than that - there are always politics and all the parties have been good to me, but players shouldn't be put in an impossible situation.
The boys are disappointed after the results of the Welsh regions in Europe, but it's a different atmosphere with the national team.
Everyone's excited and looking forward to getting away from the criticism they've been facing with the regions to put things right.
The Celtic League has been taking a lot of stick, but I know it's a tough competition from last season.
It's hard to compare standards to England and France because the styles are so different, but in Europe the Scarlets should really have beaten my Toulouse side and the Ospreys could easily have beaten Munster - then everything would have been rosy.
I'm learning a lot from the different style of rugby in France and I believe that will make me a better player for my country.
That will be needed against South Africa, who are probably the best in the world at the moment.
They've got a huge pack and are physical with it, the Boks can front up to any pack in the world and if we do not get a forward platform we will be lost.
| I want to win all four of these autumn internationals |
Then there's my opposite number Percy Montgomery, a superb talent who knows our strengths and weaknesses. All the boys will respect him, but when we get out on the pitch friendships will go.
We are on our own patch and have to be confident, like we were in 1999 when we beat the Springboks for the only time in Wales' history.
The current team can take heart from that. It's been done before and can be done again, and we want to be part of something that people will talk about for years to come.
We feel that we have great strength in depth and that the players are in good form.
I played with our new man Ryan Jones at the Celtic Warriors and Bridgend and always knew he had the potential to be a superb player.
Proud as it will be for Ryan to win his first cap, it will be a massive honour for me to lead him out.
I want to win all four of these autumn internationals, and I'm sure that the rest of the boys feel the same.
If it doesn't come off it will not be for want of trying.
I have to take the opportunity to say how disappointed I was for Rob Howley and his family, with this week's news that he has been forced to retire. Rob's a great friend and I'm a real admirer of his.
| Rob Howley taught me so much about being professional |
He's been a superb player for Wales, the Lions, Cardiff and Wasps. The real disappointment is that it is not Rob's decision, it was forced on him.
When anyone decides to finish in sport it is nice to leave on your own terms.
He's been one of the best scrum-halves in the world, both on the pitch and with his off-the-field attitude and commitment.
When I started in the game I used to train with him a lot and he taught me so much about being professional.
There has been talk of him getting a coaching job with the Cardiff Blues - all I can say is that he would make a superb coach.
He was inspirational for me and he would make the best role model, for youngsters especially.
MMIX
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