The Springboks and SA 'A' open their international season at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, with the Boks facing the Barbarians at 15h00 and SA 'A' taking on Zimbabwe at 12h00, both live on SuperSport. The squad departed Johannesburg on Wednesday after completing the bulk of their preparations, with captain's runs scheduled for Friday.
Andre Esterhuizen starts at centre alongside Jesse Kriel for the Boks, with Quan Horn — typically a fullback — handed the No 10 jersey by Rassie Erasmus. Esterhuizen backed the selection unreservedly. "He's slotted into the No 10 position very well at training, and he's been working hard, so with the support inside and outside of him, there are players who can help and guide him, and I think he'll be good in that position," said the 32-year-old.
Despite the occasion's traditional looseness, Esterhuizen insisted the Boks are approaching it no differently to a Test match. "We are treating this encounter as a Test match, and hopefully we can be successful," he said.
For SA 'A', 19-year-old Luan Giliomee starts at fullback against Zimbabwe — his third appearance in a green and gold environment this year, having already featured for the Junior Springboks and the Blitzboks. Giliomee, who was also named in the SA U20 squad for the Junior World Championship in Georgia last week, said Zimbabwe warrant respect. "They are going to the Rugby World Cup next year and their preparation has been good," he noted.