DELIGHTED ex-Newport back row player Andy Powell said winning his first cap on Saturday against the Springboks is the realisation of a boyhood dream.

But the Cardiff Blues No 8 revealed that such was his frustration with a series of serious injuries, he had contemplated giving up the game.

The 6ft 4in, 17st 6lb Powell has bounced back from a number of setbacks to be in superb barnstorming form for the Blues this season.

The 27-year-old was given the opportunity of more regular game-time by Blues skipper Xavier Rush’s long-term shoulder injury and has seized the chance with both hands.

Wales coach Warren Gatland is so impressed with Powell’s pedigree that he said yesterday at the team announcement: “He has put in some outstanding performances for the Blues at No 8. I don’t think enough has been made of those performances.

“If it had been Jerry Collins, everybody would be raving about them. The couple of European Cup performances were world class.

“There’s no pressure on him Saturday, I just want him to go out and enjoy his first cap.”

A modest Powell said the boss’ praise was a “boost to my confidence” and is eagerly looking forward clashing with the World Cup champions.

Brecon-born Powell said: “It is every Welshman’s dream to get that cap and I’ve had to go through a few frustrating years and hard work to get there. These are the good times at the moment.”

Powell had always shown great potential but bad luck with injuries has blighted his career.

He played for Newport between 2000 and 2003 before moving to Beziers, Leicester, and then the Scarlets before leaving Stradey Park for the Blues in 2005.

In 2006, the injury jinx struck again when a bump picked up in a pre-season friendly required total shoulder reconstruction and he returned to action at the beginning of April 2007.

Three games in to his comeback, he suffered an identical injury to his right shoulder which also required reconstruction.

Powell said such was his despair that he almost called it a day but added he found strength in adversity: “I just wanted to be playing every week and I wanted to give the game up.

“But what you put in, you get out. My mum and dad were pretty good to me and it all came around eventually. It has all made me a stronger player.”

On taking on the South African eight, Powell said: “They’ve probably got the best pack in the world but we’ve got a good bunch of boys who can stand up to them. We can match them on our day.”

And Powell recalled his time at Newport with obvious affection.

Making 50 appearances for the Black and Ambers and scoring 11 tries, Powell has a lot of respect for the Rodney Parade side’s former South Africa coach Ian McIntosh who came to Wales in 2001: “They were great days. Ian McIntosh is one of the best coaches I have played under. He was inspirational and he could get the best out of every player.”