The versatile 23-year-old front-rower, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, of Bloemfontein is locked-and-loaded ahead of his Springbok debut on Saturday against Portugal in his hometown.

Wessels, who plies his trade at the Bulls has been named as the starting loosehead prop for the historic Test on Saturday and he will get to do it in front of his family and friends.

Wessels has represented the South African Schools team and Junior Springboks in the past, alongside his good friend, André-Hugo Venter, who is also on debut.

Wessels and Venter have been playing together since grade 5 at schools and together they rose through the ranks. They even played SA Schools and Junior Springboks together before going their separate ways at the Bulls and Stormers respectively.

Wessels told OFM Sport this weekend will be very special indeed, especially debuting with Venter.

“It's massive opportunity and growing up as a kid it's to play for the Boks and it's everything you do and work for,” said Wessels.

“I'm very excited and it's a big opportunity for me.

“Playing your first Test and making your debut is very special, but the way it has worked out just adds to that. So, I'm excited to play with him again after a few years.”

André-Hugo Venter - Morgan Piek

Wessels added that he and Venter experienced a lot together since they were 11-years-old at Grey Primary, and to make their debuts together will just be another special moment in their friendship.

“It's really special, we played Free State under 13 Craven Week together. We played together at under 14, under 15, under 16, Free State under 16 Grant Khomo Week, and Free State under 18 Craven Week. We've also had the privilege to play for the Junior Springboks together.

“It played out well for us - we're good mates and we've experienced a lot of this together, so making our debuts together is also special.”

The pair will become the 47th ad 48th capped Springboks to come out of Grey College, and the first since 2016 when Francois Venter made his debut.

Saturday’s historic Test at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:00.

Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Replacements – 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Quan Horn

Portugal – TBA

Morgan Piek OFM Sport