Schalk Burger has backed Vusi Moyo to shine in his Springbok debut against Wales at Kings Park on Saturday, citing the experienced personnel surrounding the rookie fly-half.
Moyo earns his first Test cap despite having made just one United Rugby Championship appearance for the Sharks, starting against Zebre in the final round of the season. The playmaker, still eligible for South Africa's Junior World Rugby Championship title defence, came off the bench against the Barbarians before being overlooked for matches against England and Scotland.
Rassie Erasmus has paired Moyo with double World Cup winner Cobus Reinach in the half-backs, with South Africa's most experienced centre combination of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel outside him.
"It's obviously a massive game for Vusi Moyo at 10, but then look what's around him, and you think, jeez, he must be comfortable in that," Burger said on the Boks Unpacked podcast.
Former Springbok centre Jean de Villiers suggested the youngster would experience excitement rather than debilitating nerves. "It's not the nervousness of will I let my team down or anything like that. It's excitement more than nerves," De Villiers said. "If you are making your debut for South Africa at 10, which is a high-profile position for any team, and you've got Cobus Reinach as your nine and Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel as your centres; that's how you want to be making your debut."