Hendrik Cronjé

Bloemfontein – The Springbok props will have to prove themselves again in their Tests against Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England following their struggles in European conditions in 2009.

That is the view of uncapped prop Coenie Oosthuizen on the challenge awaiting him, Tendai Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis and CJ van der Linde in the scrums on their forthcoming tour.

“It’s a challenge and can be a highlight if we do well in the scrums. We’ll have to prove ourselves in the scrums and will have to rid ourselves of the tag that was hanging around the necks of the Bok props at the end of last year,” said the Cheetahs prop.

Oosthuizen (21) was delighted about his inclusion as one of six uncapped players in the Bok squad after he starred in this year’s Currie Cup.

“One of my goals was to make my Bok debut at a younger age than Os du Randt,” said Oosthuizen.

Du Randt is the Boks’ scrumming consultant these days. He made his Test debut as a 22-year-old against Argentina in Port Elizabeth on October 8, 1994.

Oosthuizen will learn a lot from Du Randt on the tour.

“I have no experience of the European conditions. But fortunately Os will be in the camp. He helped me at the Cheetahs and it gives me confidence knowing that he will be around. I know who to ask if I need advice,” he said.

Oosthuizen joked that his former Free State team-mate Wian du Preez is also just a phone call away if he needs some advice about playing in the conditions.

Du Preez now plays for Irish side Munster after he made his Test debut against Italy at the end of last year.

Oosthuizen, Van der Linde and Du Plessis are all former pupils of Grey College in Bloemfontein.