WALES have just one chance to, in sporting parlance, make a statement this autumn.

It come first up when South Africa, a side that are nowhere near as good as New Zealand but who are comfortably the second best in the world, head to the Millennium Stadium.

Warren Gatland's men have proved that they are the finest in the northern hemisphere with back-to-back Six Nations titles, winning nine of ten Tests against their European foes.

But England, demolished 30-3 in Cardiff earlier this year, can still pose the question 'where are your big scalps?'

Stuart Lancaster's team are ordinary but in the past 16 months they have beaten New Zealand and Australia while they also fought out a 14-14 draw with South Africa in Port Elizabeth.

Wales, meanwhile, are still striving to earn a first Sanzar victim since Jamie Roberts sparked himself out and Shane Williams and Lee Bryne crossed the whitewash in the 2008 victory against Australia.

Surely that means that a win against the Wallabies on November 30 combined with successes against Argentina and Tonga would represent a job well done?

After all, the brutal nature of Test rugby means that any victory is hard-earned – and Wales haven't won in the autumn since beating Argentina four years ago.

"Three wins," said captain Sam Warburton when asked if he had a target this month. "Anything less will be disappointing. Three scruffy wins, I'll take that."

But three victories would be par, especially given how bad the Aussies looked when beaten by a pretty poor England (and Irish official George Clancy) last weekend.

If Gatland's team are to really make the rest of the world sit up and consider them genuine contenders then they need to overturn the Boks.

Wales suffered a disastrous 2012 when Argentina caught them cold first up, Samoa impressively dismantled them, New Zealand predictably smashed them and the Wallabies burgled them at the death.

Since the Kiwi took over from Gareth Jenkins his side have won just one of 21 fixtures against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

They have bagged three Six Nations titles but have watched England, Ireland and even Scotland enjoy more success against the big three.

That means there will be relief if Wales' Lions can ensure another success against the Wallabies... but it would be a win that will barely cause a ripple.

It won't be a surprise; it won't be Gatland's boys announcing themselves as ones to watch in 2015 even if it would end a long wait and get the monkey off their back

"You don't want to admit it but maybe it is psychological," said Warburton. "Until you have done it in a Welsh shirt it won't be the same.

"Until we beat a southern hemisphere side we cannot call ourselves contenders for the World Cup."

But beating a rebuilding Australian side doesn't make them contenders – turning over the Boks, a formidable task, certainly would.

If Wales are to enjoy a successful autumn then they need to get off to a winning start or they will spend the rest of the month trying to merely make it a solid series.