Even at the start of the year, Tom Prydie’s international career look to have dissolved into a quiz question. When the wing won his first cap at the end of the 2010 Six Nations, less than a month after his 18th birthday, he was the youngest player to have been capped by his country, and the youngest to have appeared in the championship. A long career beckoned but after winning his fifth cap in 2013, he languished in the international wilderness – until a surprise recall last month.

Prydie will win his sixth cap against South Africa in Washington on Saturday having joined the Scarlets from the Dragons last summer, a move that raised his profile. Prydie has endured some dark periods since making his Test debut when he had made only two starts for Ospreys, not least two long-term injuries, but he never abandoned hope of playing for Wales again.

“Injuries can get you down, but I never thought about giving up,” said Prydie, who at the age of 26 is around the midway point of his career. “It was tough and frustrating but you have to stay positive. When I was first capped, I was a young lad coming into a squad where the coaches said there was no pressure on me and told me to enjoy the experience. It was not quite as much of a surprise being picked last month but probably even more pleasing.”

Prydie played in four successive Tests at the end of 2010; against Italy, South Africa and both against New Zealand on tour that summer but he suffered a knee ligament injury and his next appearance came three years later in Japan when Wales took a largely reserve squad having been denuded by the Lions, who were in Australia.

“I was at Ospreys then and when I came back it was tough to break into a team that had players such as Shane Williams, Tommy Bowe and Nikki Walker,” he said. “I went on loan to Wasps, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I wanted to remain in Wales because that would give me the best chance of getting back into the squad. That is why I joined the Dragons.”

Prydie spent five years in Newport before being rescued from relative obscurity by the Scarlets, the side who under Wayne Pivac were establishing themselves as the leading region in Wales. “I had a good time with the Dragons but when the Scarlets came calling I did not think twice about it. The coaches said they were confident of improving my game and getting me back playing at the highest level again. They have been true to their word, and while I was surprised to be picked in the Wales squad, it was because I missed eight weeks of the season and only came back in May.

“The Scarlets have been a breath of fresh air and it has been a great year for me. One point Wayne made when I signed was that I was still young and that it was a new start. It is a challenging environment: a lot of pressure is put on you but I respond to that. I want to come to training and feel a bit nervous, but there is also an emphasis on enjoyment.”

Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, said he had never lost sight of Prydie and that he was a believer in second chances. The Scarlet gets his opportunity because Liam Williams has been rested for the tour, Josh Adams was withdrawn from the squad after failing to secure release from Worcester for the match against South Africa and Alex Cuthbert put his international career on hold by joining Gloucester.

“All I have wanted for a long time is to get a Test starting spot again,” said Prydie, whose first international try was scored against South Africa. “I know players are missing but it is still a competitive squad. I have fought for a long time to get back in and always felt that what I needed was a good run of games. This is a huge opportunity to stake a claim for the World Cup next year and it is up to me to give the coaches some decisions to make.”

Both teams are below strength, with Wales having three starters from when the sides last met in Cardiff six months ago and South Africa four. Wales, led by the flanker Ellis Jenkins, who is a younger version of Sam Warburton, are preparing for a two-Test series in Argentina while South Africa have omitted a number of their leading players before three matches against England.