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Pretoria – Springbok centre Wynand Olivier has waited a long time to make it back into the national side and that is why he wants to ensure that Saturday's third Test against the British and Irish Lions at Coca-Cola Park is a big one.
Olivier last played for the Springboks in 2007, but after an excellent Super14 season this year, Peter de Villiers p[ulled him into the national squad.
"I feel I haven't really played a big Test for the Boks, so hopefully people will remember me as a player who played a very good game against the Lions," Olivier said.
He has played five times against the All Blacks and England and four times against the Wallabies but feels this Test against the Lions will be something special. "It is special because it is the Lions. But I am also determined to play for a place in the starting team."
Olivier is especially pleased to have Morné Steyn on his inside and Jaque Fourie on his outside. "Jaque and I, especially in 2006, played a few times together when Jean (de Villiers) was injured and he is such a good player that you can't help but want to play along side him."
"Morné and I are Bulls team-mates and friends, so I am very happy to be alongside him when he plays his first Test as part of the run on side. I'm not exactly going to try to keep him calm, though. You know him, he is calm enough," Olivier said.
He hasn't played for five weeks, but Olivier said he feels fit. "At the end of the Super14 series I had a few aches and pains but have now completely recovered from them. So I'm ready for action."
According to Olivier the call to join the Bok camp was a good, but being selected is even better. "I thought my inclusion in the squad was a reward for the hard work I'd put in, but later on I felt I was just making up the numbers. Now I'm getting the chance to play and make a mark. I don't know if there is a chance of making the Tri-Nations team but I'm sure going to use it,” said Olivier.
Equally pleased about his inclusion is Sharks eighth man Ryan Kankowski. His father, Tino, played for the Eastern Province against the Lions in their opening match in 1980. Now Ryan is getting a chance to play in the last Test of the 2009 Lions tour.
"It is definitely something my dad and I have spoken about, and it means a lot that we both got to play against the Lions."
It's been a month since Kankowski last played rugby but he thinks his absence from the game will be an advantage.
"It was a long Super14 and you appreciate the rest you get. But we've worked hard over the last few weeks in the camp and I feel fit," said Kankowski.
It will be Kankowski's eighth Test and though he hasn't yet played with Heinrich Brüssow, he believes they will form a good combination with Juan Smith.
"Brüssow is brilliant on the ground while Juan never stops tackling and driving the ball up. It will hopefully give me the chance to stretch my legs with the ball in hand," said Kankowski.
"It is a big opportunity for all of us. The series has been won, but it is our job now to make it 3-0," he added.
Pretoria – Springbok centre Wynand Olivier has waited a long time to make it back into the national side and that is why he wants to ensure that Saturday's third Test against the British and Irish Lions at Coca-Cola Park is a big one.
Olivier last played for the Springboks in 2007, but after an excellent Super14 season this year, Peter de Villiers p[ulled him into the national squad.
"I feel I haven't really played a big Test for the Boks, so hopefully people will remember me as a player who played a very good game against the Lions," Olivier said.
He has played five times against the All Blacks and England and four times against the Wallabies but feels this Test against the Lions will be something special. "It is special because it is the Lions. But I am also determined to play for a place in the starting team."
Olivier is especially pleased to have Morné Steyn on his inside and Jaque Fourie on his outside. "Jaque and I, especially in 2006, played a few times together when Jean (de Villiers) was injured and he is such a good player that you can't help but want to play along side him."
"Morné and I are Bulls team-mates and friends, so I am very happy to be alongside him when he plays his first Test as part of the run on side. I'm not exactly going to try to keep him calm, though. You know him, he is calm enough," Olivier said.
He hasn't played for five weeks, but Olivier said he feels fit. "At the end of the Super14 series I had a few aches and pains but have now completely recovered from them. So I'm ready for action."
According to Olivier the call to join the Bok camp was a good, but being selected is even better. "I thought my inclusion in the squad was a reward for the hard work I'd put in, but later on I felt I was just making up the numbers. Now I'm getting the chance to play and make a mark. I don't know if there is a chance of making the Tri-Nations team but I'm sure going to use it,” said Olivier.
Equally pleased about his inclusion is Sharks eighth man Ryan Kankowski. His father, Tino, played for the Eastern Province against the Lions in their opening match in 1980. Now Ryan is getting a chance to play in the last Test of the 2009 Lions tour.
"It is definitely something my dad and I have spoken about, and it means a lot that we both got to play against the Lions."
It's been a month since Kankowski last played rugby but he thinks his absence from the game will be an advantage.
"It was a long Super14 and you appreciate the rest you get. But we've worked hard over the last few weeks in the camp and I feel fit," said Kankowski.
It will be Kankowski's eighth Test and though he hasn't yet played with Heinrich Brüssow, he believes they will form a good combination with Juan Smith.
"Brüssow is brilliant on the ground while Juan never stops tackling and driving the ball up. It will hopefully give me the chance to stretch my legs with the ball in hand," said Kankowski.
"It is a big opportunity for all of us. The series has been won, but it is our job now to make it 3-0," he added.
