INTERNATIONAL TEST - WALES v SOUTH AFRICA
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Saturday, 5 June Kick-off: 1430 BST
Coverage: Exclusively live on BBC TWO Wales & online, full commentary on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru & online, score updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sport website

James Hook will undergo shoulder surgery after the Springboks game

Wales coach Warren Gatland praised the decision of James Hook to delay surgery on a shoulder injury in order to face South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.

Gatland says that with the withdrawal of wing Shane Williams, also with a shoulder problem, Wales need a player who can produce something special.

"Going up against the South Africans you want creativity," Gatland said.

"By having one of them at least it does give us that footwork, that little bit of magic that is going to be special."

Hook has needed surgery on a troubling shoulder injury for much of the season but has played on through the pain barrier.

The late season success of the Ospreys, going through to last weekend's Magners League Grand Final where they beat Leinster in Dublin, helped Hook's bid to face the Springboks.

In consultation with the Ospreys and the Wales management, Hook decided that he could put off surgery for one more week to face the world champions. However, he still misses the tour to New Zealand.

If his recovery progresses without complications then Hook expects to return to action by the end of September, in time for the start of next season's Heineken Cup campaign.

However, Hook admitted that a "worst-case scenario" would see him sidelined for up to five months and in danger of missing Wales' autumn internationals next November.

The centre, fly-half or full-back, who turns 25 at the end of the month, also revealed that he had something to prove after the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa last year.

Hook was named on the bench for the third Test but did not get onto the field, as the Lions lost the series but ended on a high with a thrilling victory in Johannesburg.

"I didn't need much persuading," said Hook, who will win his 43rd cap on Saturday. "I've gone this far through the season and it's given me the opportunity to play this week and I've made myself available for a great game.

"It was disappointing with the Lions as well not being able to play against South Africa, so personally it's a great opportunity for me.

"I've got through five-six months of the season with it, obviously it's a problem that needs to be sorted but an extra week shouldn't make any difference at all really.

"I'm having pain-killing injections and that's helped me along and I can't really do much more damage to it, it's just managing the pain and getting through that."

Wales have not beaten the Springboks since 1999, winning 29-19 in the then brand new Millennium Stadium as they built towards that year's World Cup.

Although the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand is still some way off, Gatland has previously declared that Wales have already begun their build-up to the tournament with Saturday's Test against the Springboks and the subsequent two-Test tour to New Zealand.

With South Africa fielding a comparatively under-strength team - the likes of star wing Bryan Habana left out after Super 14 duty - Gatland senses a chance to claim what would still be a notable scalp.

With Hook in midfield tandem alongside Jamie Roberts, Wales' chances are much improved.

South Africa have been forced into a late change at inside centre, with Bath's Butch James forced to withdraw because of a row over his eligibility, while Victor Matfield could come in at lock in place of the injured Andries Bekker.

Guinness Premiership umbrella body Premier Rugby insists the match falls outside the IRB official Test window.

"We've got a great opportunity of performing well and hopefully beating South Africa at home, so you don't turn down the opportunity of a world-class player like James Hook at your disposal," Gatland said.

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"If we can win and beat South Africa at home I think it will give us the team, the touring party, great confidence getting on the 'plane for two tough matches against New Zealand."

Gatland was also quick to praise the Ospreys management for their co-operation in helping Hook realise his ambition of facing South Africa.

"That fact that the Ospreys had continued to do well, winning the semi-final and the final of the Magners League, opened up an opportunity, a window to delay the operation for a week and make himself available for the South Africa game," Gatland added.

"So we're delighted that someone of that quality and creativeness... comes in bouncing and full of confidence in the squad.

"It's brilliant for us, I've got to mention [director of coaching] Scott Johnson and the Ospreys for helping facilitate us and James talking to them to put it [the operation] off for a week.

"It does help us in terms of our preparation and it means a lot having someone of James' quality available to us."

Wales: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), James Hook (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Tom Prydie (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Ospreys); Paul James (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Deiniol Jones (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Blues), Ryan Jones (capt, Ospreys).
Replacements: Huw Bennett (Ospreys), John Yapp (Blues), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Andy Powell (Blues), Richie Rees (Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys).

Wales squad for June Tests:

Forwards: Bradley Davies, Deiniol Jones, Andy Powell, Sam Warburton, John Yapp (all Cardiff Blues), Huw Bennett, Paul James, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Craig Mitchell (all Ospreys), Rob McCusker, Ken Owens, Matthew Rees (all Scarlets).

Backs: Leigh Halfpenny, Richie Rees, Jamie Roberts (all Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar, Andrew Bishop, Lee Byrne, James Hook (only available for South Africa Test), Mike Phillips, Tom Prydie, Jonathan Davies, Stephen Jones, Tavis Knoyle (all Scarlets), Will Harries (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Standby list (to train with the squad in the UK and cover injuries for the New Zealand tour):

Blues: Scott Andrews, Chris Czekaj, Rhys Thomas.

Ospreys: Ian Gough.

Scarlets: Martin Roberts.

Dragons: Gavin Thomas, Jason Tovey.

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