Wales coach Steve Hansen hasdeclared that he is well aware of the task that awaits his side in South Africa this summer.

Hansen said: "It's going to be tough. We believe that, under the circumstance, we've got the right side to go. But it's a team that has also been picked for the future.

"It would be nice to go out there and win both Tests, but reality would suggest it will be a huge task.

"South Africa are one of the top five, so we can all work out they're going to be a big threat. We will have to play to the best of our ability to compete against them.

"But every time you play against opposition who are good you learn something. The big threat is to go there and not learn anything."

Hansen heaped praise on the attitude of Pontypridd this season and has rewarded them by including five uncapped players from the Sardis Road club in his squad to tour South Africa next month.

Forwards Richard Parks, Michael Owen, Robert Sidoli, Mefin Davies and Gethin Jenkins have been rewarded for helping Ponty become the first Welsh club, since Cardiff in 1996, to reach a European final. They face Sale Sharks on May 26, having accounted for London Irish with a superb performance in the semi-finals.

Hansen said: "The Pontypridd boys are showing it really means to them every time they take the field.

"Whether it's their first team or their second team they're going out and displaying a spirit that we need to see right across the board.

"You could not be other than impressed by their performances over the past four weeks. They've done everything that's been asked of them. They have had a huge schedule but, when it's mattered, they have put their best side on the pitch and they have won."

The New Zealander continued; "I don't know if Ponty's display against London Irish was the best I've seen by a Welsh club since I've been here. It's pointless comparing apples with oranges. But they are playing well - it's as simple as that. People are putting their hands up and have been rewarded."

The former Canterbury Crusaders' coach hopes to use the two-Test trip to South Africa to increase the pool of international-quality talent at his disposal.

The management hope that youngsters such as Gareth Cooper and Dwayne Peel, plus the Pontypridd contingent, will come through.

Other players have been left at home to work on their fitness and been told, in no uncertain terms, they will not be welcomed back unless they show the required improvements in conditioning and attitude.

"We have spoken to all the people who have been left out and who probably feel they should be involved," he explained. We have given them the reasons why they're not going. Some have been told we are not going to reward mediocrity.

"If you are not going to be fully fit and show the right enthusiasm, desire and discipline to get yourself into the condition that we want you in, then we are not going to pick you, even if you have more talent than somebody else."

The last time Wales toured South Africa they crashed 96-13 to the Springboks at Pretoria - the worst ever Welsh Test result.

They are returning minus Scott Quinnell, who is resting his long-standing knee complaint, while Robert Howley has retired from international rugby. Colin Charvis continues as captain in the absence of Quinnell.

Neil Jenkins is part of the squad but will only play in the event of injuries.

There are also recalls for Swansea's Ben Evans and London Irish's Steve Williams, who comes back five years after playing his last Test.

"Every time I have watched Steve play he's been man-of-the-match or close to it," said Hansen.

"He brings mobility up front, ability to win line-out ball and a certain amount of experience.

"Though he has not played international rugby for five years, he's been with a club who have been performing in a tough competition. He's been brought back because of that."

Wales face the Springboks in Bloemfontein on June 8 and in Capetown on June 15.