Cardiff Blues star Tom Shanklin insists Wales have "nothing to lose" when they run out at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday to take on world champions South Africa.

Wales endured a World Cup to forget as defeats to Australia and then crucially Fiji in their final pool game saw them fail to make the quarter-finals.

The disappointing exit saw Gareth Jenkins sacked as coach, with New Zealander Warren Gatland handed the job of turning the country's fortunes around.

While Wales have been left to rebuild - with Nigel Davies handed temporary control ahead of Gatland's arrival - South Africa roll into town having gone through the tournament unbeaten, beating England in the final.

But with the all-conquering Springboks looking to give departing coach Jake White the perfect send-off during the two-match tour, Shanklin believes Wales can spoil the party.

"It has been a bit of a strange week really, what with it being a one-off game and the coaching situation," he told Sky Sports.

"For us as players, though, there is nothing for us to lose. It is a one-off game, with no pressure on us. We can go out there and show what we can do.

"We all want to win and there is no better way to bounce back after the World Cup than put in a performance against South Africa - and the performance is key to us."

With a new coach set to arrive, the Wales squad will be, understandably, out to impress - however for Shanklin, the clash against the Boks will give the side a chance to right the wrongs of the World Cup.

He said: "This game will give some of the players a chance to show Warren Gatland what they can do, however for me it is about putting the World Cup behind us and proving that we can play."

As well as the change of the coaching structure, Wales have also departed from their traditional base at the Vale Hotel in Cardiff for a training camp on the coast.

And the Cardiff Blues veteran, who has been capped 46 times, has been impressed with the new set-up.

"We have come out of the comfort zone of the Vale Hotel in Cardiff and moved down to the coast and it has been good," he said.

"The focus has been very much on the team, with lots of team activities. The theory is if we act like a team off the field we will play like a team on it."

Shanklin is better known for his marauding runs in the centre, however he has been asked to play on the wing on Saturday - with Sonny Parker and Gavin Henson teaming up in the middle.

Despite missing out on the chance to renew acquaintances with Henson, Shanklin is just happy to pull on the famous red jersey.

"Nigel felt it would be better for the team for me to play on the wing," he said.

"I would have preferred to be in the centres, but I will play anywhere for Wales."

More news from SportingLife.com