Johannesburg – Top South African tennis player Kevin Anderson surprised the Springbok rugby team at their first training session in Auckland on Tuesday afternoon.
Anderson was in New Zealand, where his physiotherapist is based, to undergo treatment for an injury.
He would be attending the Springboks' fourth match in the Rugby Championship, against the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.
Ranked 21st in the latest ATP ratings, Anderson would play his next tournament at Japan Open Championships, in Tokyo, at the end of September.
At 2.03 metres, Anderson was only a few millimetres shorter than Eben Etzebeth.
Although Etzebeth – 30kg heavier than the tennis ace – would do more damage at the rucks, he admitted his serve, volley and backhand were probably not as good as Anderson's.
The Springboks had a good run at Western Springs, home of the famous Ponsonby Rugby Club, which was one of the oldest clubs in New Zealand.
The match-23 for Saturday's Test would be named on Wednesday afternoon, while the All Blacks were scheduled to name their side only on Thursday. – Sapa