"Anyone who knows Gethin will tell you he sets high standards for himself and those around him," said Wales caretaker coach Nigel Davies.

"This came as a bit of a surprise and I took some time to think about it, but there was only ever going to be one answer," said the Pontypridd-born Jenkins, who made his international debut against Romania in 2002 and won three Test caps on the 2005 Lions tour.

"I just try to be the best team player I can be, it's a huge honour and just to think of the players that have gone before me is pretty awe-inspiring in itself.

"I've been in the Wales squad for five years and have played with some great players and some truly inspirational captains, but if I can achieve anything near what Gareth Thomas has achieved in terms of his role as a leader then I'll be a happy man.

"If I can emulate his calmness under pressure and his ability to consistently raise standards or his leadership qualities and knack of diffusing difficult situations on the pitch, then I'll be doing a pretty good job.

"It's South Africa's first game since winning the Cup, so the scalps aren't going to come much bigger than that for at least the next four years.

"As a team we are all feeling the disappointment of our World Cup exit and I can't think of any better way to ease the pain than to take it out on the Springboks."

With new Wales coach Warren Gatland taking over in December, this game will be caretaker boss Davies' only game in charge. He has named a 31-man squad for the Test which will be cut to 24 after this weekend's Heineken Cup games.

World Cup captain Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams, who has retired from international rugby are not involved. Davies paid tribute to 100-cap man Thomas, who has not ruled himself out of future international consideration.

"Gareth is still making himself available to Wales, but we have to balance that with the need to move forward," said Davies.

"He's a very influential character who has been fabulous for Wales, but Gethin Jenkins needs a bit of space to exert his own personality on the team."

The full Wales training squad includes six Cardiff Blues:
Backs: Lee Byrne (Ospreys), Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets), Mark Jones (Scarlets), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Tom James (Blues), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Jamie Robinson (Blues), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Sonny Parker (Ospreys), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), James Hook (Ospreys), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Michael Phillips (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester)

Forwards: Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Alix Popham (Scarlets), Colin Charvis (Dragons), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Blues), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Michael Owen (Dragons), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Dragons), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), T Rhys Thomas (Blues), Gethin Jenkins (Blues, capt), Duncan Jones (Ospreys)