Cameron Hanekom, who was drafted into the squad before the team departed for their pre-tour training camp in Jersey, is set to become the 12th Springbok to make his Test debut this season after being named on the replacements’ bench by Bok coach Rassie Erasmus.
The Springboks will play Wales on Saturday at 19:40 (SA Time) in their final Autumn Nations Series match at the Principality Stadium.
Hanekom was excited but humbled by the opportunity to represent South Africa against Wales.
"I must say it's been a dream to play for the Springboks since being a child."
"Saturday, it's an unbelievable feeling. I'm very grateful for it and I'm very privileged to be here and I'll take the opportunity with both hands."
On the talks to move to Wales Hanekom said: "Honestly, it's more media that speculated it. I've always dreamed of playing for the Springboks.
Rassie Erasmus said the versatility of the uncapped Cameron Hanekom makes him an asset to the Springboks.
“Cameron also offers us a few options at loose forward as he can play No 6, No 7 and No 8, and that will be valuable with two locks on the bench.”
“In my days as a player, we were just a No 6 or 7, not open or blindside. I believe in it."
“The only difference was if a guy can jump in the lineouts or not. Siya is not a lineout jumper, but Cameron is. That’s why he’s good in the South African sense of a No 7 flanker. He’s also a very good eighth man.
“Duane ran over people; Cameron can sidestep, he can hand off tacklers, and sometimes run over them. I don’t think we can put him in a box and say he is exclusively a No 7. I think he can also be a very good eighth man, but I don’t see him as a No 6.”
“For a guy like Cameron, and anyone who comes into the team, I think things that happen most in a match are running, the rucks, there’s probably 140 in a game, and about 14 lineouts and eight scrums,” said Erasmus. “We really want to see him focusing on his general game.
“If he makes a mistake here and there at a lineout or in defence, those things happen in your first five Tests. But general play is usually where you find your feet. If he does what he always does, then things will go well for him.”