Jamie Roberts: It’ll be huge if Wales beat South Africa for first time in 14 years – and with the added Lions factor I believe we can do it

It should be one of the great games of the autumn – I expect it to be brutal

Mike Phillips, one of many in the Wales team with Lions experience, in training (Getty Images)

Wales have not beaten South Africa for 14 years. The reality is we’ve not been good enough. We’ve come close, played well in patches, but ultimately we’ve lost these close games. Today, I really think that will change, that the boys will finally do it.

In the past, I think we’ve been a bit naïve and blown our chances. But this game is a big opportunity with the calibre of players we have – 11 British & Irish Lions in the match-day squad – and the experience that goes with that.

It would be huge if Wales won. We’ve not beaten South Africa or New Zealand all that often. If that win is achieved today at the Millennium Stadium, it will go down as one of the great Wales victories of all time.

Wales’ last victory over southern hemisphere opposition was against Australia five years ago, and the autumn’s not tended to be a good time for us. If you look down the years, we’ve generally been missing four or five key players to injury in the autumn and, while it’s a good time of year to develop the squad depth, you want your full complement of players. This autumn, it’s really just myself and Alex Cuthbert missing out, and fingers crossed it stays that way during November.

There’s been a lot of talk about the Lions factor, and you’d certainly hope that has a positive effect on the squad. Those experiences when you have big games and success help the confidence grow.

Today should be one of the great games of the autumn – I expect it to be brutal.

As for what it’s like to take on the Springboks, it’s not like you feel any more battered and bruised after playing them as opposed to any other Test match but they are an immensely confrontational side, they love coming at you. While they’re always direct, they’ve increasingly added an extra dimension to their game, with greater width.

The way that Wales’ defence is, I think they’ll find that game plan difficult; the Boks will struggle to get to the wide channels. With the roof closed for the match, I fully expect South Africa to employ their kick-and-chase tactics once again– there’s no side in world rugby that does it better.

The permutations of the confrontations in the backs really appeal.

You have J P Pietersen and Bryan Habana taking on George North and Liam Williams, a very experienced centre partnership of Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie versus Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies, as well as Mike Phillips and Fourie du Preez reliving their Lions battles from four years ago.

Personally, it’s going to be hard to watch. Scotty’s a good friend and I obviously want him to have a good game but, at the same time, there’s a part of me that wants to be in his place. If I’m honest, I’d love him to have a flyer of an autumn and then the pressure’s on me to raise my game and really fight to get my place back in the side for the Six Nations.

As a rule, when not involved in internationals – this is the first major series I’ve missed since 2010 – I try to stay away from it or else I’ll drive myself up the wall. So I’ve not really been in contact with the boys but I’ll be sending out good-luck text messages this morning.

La vie Parisienne suits me just fine

Next week I’m back in Cardiff – Racing Métro have given us all a week off so I’ll continue my rehab work with the Wales physios. It’ll be good to be back in my home town but I’ve enjoyed the move to Paris, a change in scenery for the first time in my life. I’ve not regretted the move for a minute; it’s been the perfect time for me.

I’ve yet to do the obvious tourist things like seeing the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre – I’ll do that when friends and family come to visit. For me, it’s just been about getting used to the Parisian way of life.

I live in a two-bedroom flat in Saint-Germain and each morning I pop down to the boulangerie for my fresh bread for breakfast; I’ve generally tried to immerse myself in Parisian life. The traffic’s a shocker – in the car it can be a few hours to get to training so I now get around on a scooter.

The training lifestyle is different to Wales. It’s more like a working day, 8.30 to 5.30, except with a long lunch break from 12 to 3. Then on Tuesday and Thursday we have French classes. You can imagine what it’s like with eight English and Welsh rugby boys in a classroom!

One of my reasons for coming over here was to learn another language. Having started French lessons, I’ve come to the conclusion the language side of my brain doesn’t work too well.

On the field, the language isn’t an issue as the calls are usually one or two words and that’s easy to pick up but it’s tricky in team meetings. Thankfully, a couple of the South Africa boys speak French so they translate when needed, but it’s a steep learning curve.

On recovery road in Hong Kong

It was my birthday yesterday. I’m 27 and the body’s certainly feeling older, although I’m not sure I’m feeling any wiser.

I’m out in Hong Kong with Racing Métro for a one-off game against Toulouse. Being back here brings back nice memories of the Lions tour, having played a warm-up game here against the Barbarians.

I’m not back playing yet but, from the middle part of last week, I’ve been running again, although the sprinting will probably have to wait as I continue my recovery from ankle surgery.

I feel in good shape and the target is the Top 14 game against Montpellier at the end of the month. More than anything, it’s just good to have functionality back. If you have, say, a shoulder or wrist injury, you’re still mobile, but I’ve had a cast and crutches, which makes it even more debilitating. It’s frustrating to be out in November with the prospect of some great games to play but instead I’ll be in a bar in Hong Kong cheering on the Wales boys a few thousand miles away.

Concussion: it’s a knockout topic

I know the issue of concussion has become quite a big talking point in recent weeks, not just in rugby but in other sports too. It’s an interesting subject.

I’ve been knocked out four times on the rugby field, including fracturing my skull against Australia, so it’s a topic I’m obviously interested in. I think it’s one of those where we don’t want to be in a position where someone has to learn the hard way before something is done about it.

I’m not sure I’m best placed to comment, either as a player or as a medical man as I don’t really have enough experience of the subject. But it’s a tough subject, causing some serious debate.

Whether we see things change, we’ll see.