The Wales centre marked his Test debut in December 2017 with two tries against the Springboks and has since gone on to become an instrumental part of Warren Gatland’s squad.
Parkes, 32, was born in New Zealand but also had a stint playing club rugby in South Africa with the country’s Southern Kings outfit.
“I was very nervous before my debut. It was the most nervous I’ve ever been – that and my wedding day,” Parkes said. “I was probably more nervous walking down the tunnel to do the anthem than anything else. I had to put in a few hours trying to learn that. Rhys Patchell taught me. I recorded him doing it line by line and then recorded him doing the whole verse and learnt it that way.
“It was just an amazing occasion to be at the Principality Stadium and to get the win as well was pretty cool. I just went out there and tried to do the small things right.”
Parkes has suffered with hand and shoulder injuries in Japan, but has started every game of Wales’ unbeaten World Cup campaign to date.
Next up for him and Gatland’s team is another meeting with South Africa, this time in Sunday’s semi-final in Yokohama.
“I played for a year with the Kings in Super Rugby. I lived in Port Elizabeth which was a good year. I actually got injured so I got to see the other side of South Africa a little bit,” Parkes said.
“I wouldn’t wish injuries on anyone, but after about 16 weeks I had a hell of a tan!
“You know you’re in for a tough challenge when you play against a South African team.
“They enjoy the physicality, but it’s a part of our game we like to bring as well. It’s going to be a very tough and physical game at the weekend. The Springboks are always up there in the top three in the world. Traditionally they’ve done very well in World Cups and they’ve won two.
“They are a very powerful team and they’ve got a lot of flair especially with Cheslin Kolbe out wide, but it would be nice to ruin their morning on Sunday.”
