Loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp is still pinching himself over his Springbok call-up, but is relishing the opportunity to make his debut on Saturday.
The Vodacom Bulls front-row bruiser could make his bow off the bench in a heavily-rotated lineup to face Argentina in a World Cup warm-up match in Buenos Aires.
A former Junior Springbok, Steenekamp was drafted into the wider national squad early last month as injury cover for Ox Nche, and the talented 26-year-old has been traveling and training with the team ever since.
Speaking ahead of his potential debut at Estadio Velez Sarsfield, Steenekamp unpacked his whirlwind experience with the world champions, but can’t wait to pack down in the green and gold.
“I was surprised by the phone call,” he told reporters in a Bok conference from Buenos Aires this week. “In my mind, I always thought maybe next year. When the call came, I was on holiday in Dullstroom, busy fishing. I mean, your opportunities come at different times.
“It’s not a perfect world where you can say I will wait for the right time. You have to use those opportunities.
“When you get the call, you don’t really worry anymore if the fish are biting or not. But I managed to catch a few before I had to join the camp.”
PLUS: Fourie wants his own World Cup role
“I will do what I must do. There’s nothing else. The Bok scrum is for sure the best in the world, and I want to make sure that I bring my part in it,” Steenekamp added.
“My inclusion hasn’t really sunk in yet, but this is a feeling you can’t describe. I am excited about this opportunity, and hope to grab it with both hands.”
On the selection of Steenekamp, Bok coach Jacques Nienaber explained: “Gerhard did not even know about [the Boks keeping tabs on him]. Every week that they play matches, we look at their actions. It is easy if we have road-maps on Gerhard playing.
“We know what is happening with him and the other guys we follow. I met him when he joined us and do not know him personally.
“But the character that was described is a guy that will fit in perfectly. He is not afraid of making a good tackle, is a hard worker, and is an athletic prop. That is the bit I see from him looking at my department.”
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter