In 2019, the 25-year-old was on the verge of making his Blitzboks debut, but that was put on hold after being diagnosed with stage-two Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Since then, Brown has overcome cancer and is quickly establishing himself as a key member of the team.

Brown said that he wants to make the most of donning the green-and-gold.

“It's obviously very special for me every time I cross the chalk and play this game that we all love so much.

“With the journey that I've been through it's just a reminder of how grateful I am and how grateful I should be to be on the field and to be able to play this game.

“I've been out for two years and now I'm back and I'm trying to make the most I can with every opportunity I get.”

The Blitzboks will face Japan at 9:12 on Friday morning in their first game of the second leg.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport