South Africa play their first Test under Rudi Straeuli against Wales in Bloemfontein today in what will be an emotionally charged atmosphere with a minute's silence in memory of the hosts' former cricket captain Hansie Cronje, a Free Stater, preceding the kick off.

Wales have spent the week preparing at sea level in Cape Town, even though the match will be played at altitude, after a wretched season in which their only victories in 11 matches came against Romania, Tonga and Italy. They can only improve, even if their last appearance in South Africa saw them lose 96-13 in Pretoria four years ago.

"We have set ourselves certain objectives and they are not necessarily linked to winning Test matches," Wales' coach Steve Hansen said. "We want to gauge ourselves against one of the world's best sides."

The Springboks are a long way from being the best in the world but Wales are short on experience, with all their key players in the last World Cup either injured, retired from international rugby or, in the case of the outside-half Neil Jenkins, on the bench.

The Wales captain Colin Charvis is one of two survivors from Pretoria. "That result was an anomaly and we hope that it will never happen again," he said, without being any more upbeat than Hansen.

Since their first visit to South Africa 38 years ago, Wales have played 12 Tests on tour against the three Sanzar nations and won only one, against Australia in 1969.

Bath have signed the Australia second row Michael Connors in a two-year deal. The Spain wing Oriol Ripol has joined Northampton from Rotherham.