By Jacques van der Westhuyzen Dublin
Dublin - Wynand Olivier is relishing the chance to measure himself against one of the world's best centres here tomorrow when Ireland host South Africa in the final match for the tourists this year.
Olivier has been handed a rare start at inside centre by Peter de Villiers and he admits to being frustrated by not getting more game-time.
"I'm so happy to be given this chance," said the 26-year-old who will earn his 27th Test cap tomorrow.
"I've worked hard this year to get into the team, so it is frustrating when one gets so little time," he said. Olivier's got his chance only because Adi Jacobs has returned home with an ankle injury.
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Olivier says that while he feels his rugby improves each year, 2009 has been a particularly good for him. "It's probably been my best season yet but everything comes down to Saturday."
While he won't directly oppose Brian O'Driscoll, who'll be at outside centre and up against Jaque Fourie, Olivier says he can't wait to face the British and Irish Lions great. "He's one of the best in the world, one of their go-to men. The only way to measure oneself is to play against the best so I'm really looking forward to the battle."
He admits he also knows very little of his direct opposite, Paddy Wallace, as well as new flyhalf Jonathan Sexton.
"Sexton and Wallace I don't know much about, but we'll be doing some video analysis on them, for sure."
And while former SA assistant coach Gert Smal may be able to pass on some Bok secrets to his new charges, Ireland, the Springboks also have a "spy" in their ranks. Jean de Villiers, who was called into the squad on Wednesday and will warm the Bok bench on Saturday, knows many of the Irish players as he now plays his rugby in Ireland.
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This article was originally published on page 32 of The Star on November 27, 2009
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