Gavin Henson has not scored a try for Wales since November 2004

Wales superstar Gavin Henson insists he will repay the faith Grand Slam winning coach Warren Gatland has put in him.

Gatland named the Ospreys centre in his Wales team to play South Africa despite playing just three full games since returning from ankle surgery.

Henson, who was out for six months, is Wales' back-line "captain" and thanked Gatland for his unwavering belief.

"All you want as a player is a coach that shows such belief in you, that gives me huge confidence," said Henson.

The often controversial British and Irish Lions star attracts newspaper headlines for his off-the-field actions as much as his on-the-field heroics.

The Ospreys recently imposed a two-match ban on the 26-year-old after he missed a training session.

Henson has also suffered his fair share of long-term injuries but ensured his sporting immortality by playing key roles in both Wales' 2005 and 2008 Grand Slam campaigns.

Henson has enjoyed just 260 minutes of games since returning from ankle surgery and being asked if he is ready for Test match rugby, he admitted: "Good question!

606: DEBATE How important is Gavin Henson to Wales?

"Obviously I haven't had the game-time I would have liked but the coaches have had great belief in picking me and I take a lot from that.

"I believe I'm in good enough condition for 80 minutes of international rugby as I always take good care of myself.

"My match-fitness is probably not there yet but when you're in that stadium, the crowd and the adrenalin does get you through."

A packed Millennium Stadium will roar on Grand Slam winners Wales when they face world champions South Africa on Saturday in the first of their autumn Tests.

Wales play the other southern-hemisphere super-powers New Zealand and Australia this November while Canada also visit Cardiff.

Inside centre Henson will form a new midfield partnership with Blues rookie Jamie Roberts, the 17st and 6ft 4ins powerhouse.

It will be utility back Roberts' fourth cap in a fourth different position and the new-look centre duo will be up against Springbok rivals Adrian Jacobs and Jean de Villiers.

"We're up against the best centre partnership in world rugby," acknowledged Henson.

"So it is a great test for our new partnership.

"He's huge, he makes me feel a bit short! But we've got small wingers so it's nice to have size in midfield.

"Jamie is the in-form centre in Wales and I've been really impressed with him after switching from full-back."

Wales have not beaten the Springboks for nine games since the opening game of the Millennium Stadium in 1999 and their last big Tri-Nations scalp was a 24-22 win over Australia in 2005.

But Henson says: "Ideally we'd like to win all four.

"Normally we get stronger as series progress so hopefully we can get victory in our first game as that would spark a momentum."

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