SOUTH Africa were given a taste of their own medicine by Wales hooker Richard Hibbard at the Millennium Stadium, writes Chris Kirwan.

It's not often that the Springboks are smashed backwards but the Lions front row forward achieved that with a dynamic performance both with ball in hand and when the visitors were on the attack.

The Ospreys ace put in some punishing hits and cleared out rucks with vigour; he didn't take a backward step up against the intimidating presence of opposite number Bismarck du Plessis.

It was fitting that his last act before being replaced by Ken Owens was a punishing hit on South Africa centre Jaque Fourie.

"It was brutal from start to finish. South Africa were aggressive in both attack and defence," said the 29-year-old. "I think the boys stuck to it well and we went toe to toe with them."

That wasn't enough to defeat the second best side in the world but Hibbard believes the same physical effort will secure autumn successes against Argentina on Saturday, Tonga the following Friday and Australia in the finale.

"We focused on the win all week and a few things went wrong and we know what South Africa are like," he said.

"They've just come off beating good teams in the Rugby Championship and they got on top in the end.

"We'll certainly take a lot of positives out of this game. Our scrum and set piece went well and I think the physicality of the boys was great.

"If we keep that intensity up we can set a target of three out of four wins."

Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde was delighted with the performance of his hooker.

McBryde said: "Richard had a great game both in attack and defence. Ball-carrying is a strong weapon in his game and he proved that again.

"He put in some big hits in defence and lived up to the intensity. He emptied the tank and wasn't alone, I though Gethin Jenkins was outstanding as well.

"I thought the pack lived up to the intensity and asked South Africa some serious questions."