The front-rower who side-steps like centre is one of six debutants in the new-lock Springbok team. Mchunu will however be playing off the bench on Saturday.

The player who impressed is already being called the ‘Beast 2.0’ after the legendary Springbok loose-head, Tendai Mtawarira.

The 23-year-old Mchunu who burst onto the scene in 2021 has been on of the most impressive prospects in the South African rugby in recent times and one had the sense that he was destined to don the green-and-gold.

Mchunu, who enjoys taking a walk on the Durban promenade and spending time on the family cattle stud farm said while it's an honour to be compared to Mtawarira, he wasn't to create his own legacy in the sport. 

“First of all - it’s a massive thing being called Beast 2.0, as people have been saying. But I just want to create my own legacy,” said the big Mchunu.

“He is someone who set the bar high for us. I want to do it my way, but I am very grateful for what people are calling me.

“Secondly - he has been a great mentor. More in terms of off-the-field stuff and coming into the system similarly to how he came into the system. He has been great, from a mental point of view.

“Just understanding that there is someone out there who has done this all before and who I can turn to if there is something that I need.”

Saturday’s Test at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:05.

Springboks - 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Handré Pollard (captain), 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements - 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Ruan Nortjé, 20 Rynhardt Elstadt, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Damian Willemse.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport