Gethin Jenkins will write his name in the record books when he steps out against South Africa in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
In representing his country for the 59th time, the Blues prop will become Wales most-capped front-row forward. He will go one ahead of Garin Jenkins, who won 58 caps at hooker between 1991 and 2000.
Its taken Gethin less than six years to pass that milestone, having made his Test debut against Romania in November 2002. Thats a reflection of the amount of international rugby played these days, but also of his durability and versatility, with his ability to cover both sides of the scrum having made him an invaluable member of the match-day 22 for a succession of Welsh coaches.
Jenkins career comes full circle in some ways this month as it was the 2002 tour of South Africa under Steve Hansen that provided him with his first taste of the national set-up.
This was where I came on my first tour six years ago, he said, speaking at Wales Cape Town base. I came out here just for experience really in 02 and I didnt play at all when I got out here. Now to be 58 caps down the line and to be the most capped front-row player is a great achievement for me and my family.
Jenkins admits he has come a long way since his first involvement with Wales. The difference in six years is unbelievable, he said. The nutritionist will tell you when I first turned up I was pretty fat. I was a youngster, just 21, I didnt know much about training or conditioning.
It was a wake-up call that first trip. As you go along you learn things off different people and you learn different habits. Back then I was just happy to be on the tour with the likes of Neil Jenkins, who was one of my idols. Now Im one of the senior players. Things change and its nice to be at that level now.
Jenkins has noted the difference in the way Wales play the game these days and his role within that game-plan. He feels theres a sharp contrast in the style of this current Grand Slam-winning team to the one he starred in back in 2005.
If you look at the way we played in 2005 and the way weve played in 2008 theres a massive difference," he said. In 2005 we were just passing the ball about and making as many passes as we could.Now its more of a different game, more of a physical disruptive game. I dont get my hands on the ball much these days. The way we play its give the backs the ball as much as we can.
I try to touch the ball as much as I can, but in the modern game the front five are there to do the hard work really and thats where you get your satisfaction out of these days. But now you get your enjoyment out of different things, like hitting so many rucks or making so many tackles.
Wales most-capped players
Gareth Thomas ....................100
Colin Charvis .........................94
Gareth Llewellyn ..................92
Neil Jenkins ...........................87
Martyn Williams ...................81
Ieuan Evans ...........................72
Stephen Jones ......................70
Dwayne Peel .........................61
Rob Howley ...........................59
Garin Jenkins ........................58
Gethin Jenkins ......................58
As at 5th June 2008