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Wellington - Having some of the most experienced men in world rugby at his side, will make Heinrich Brüssow a slightly calmer man when he makes his Rugby World Cup debut on Sunday against Wales, the Free State flank admitted the day before the match.
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"Firstly, it is great to be here at the World Cup with a squad like this that has been here before and know s what to do, so I think it is a bit more relaxing," said Brüssow.
For a man already been described, by his coach, as a key player in the Springboks’ quest of retaining the Webb Ellis Cup, the stress levels should be higher than the rest of the squad.
Only Brüssow, prop Tendai Mtawarira and eighthman Pierre Spies in the run-on team for Sunday’s match have not yet been exposed to World Cup rugby.
But as confident as he is that he will turn over possession for his team at some stage in the tournament, Brüssow felt very strongly about the fact that the older men will play a role in keeping those butterflies under control.
"There is always pressure on you to perform, especially this first Test, to get things going after such a long build-up."
It took the Springbok squad a while to start feeling part of the World Cup buzz that was so overwhelming in Auckland this past week.
For Brüssow it is now just a case of completing the final part of what had to have been one of the longest weeks of his playing career.
"This week started up slowly and as it passed the vibe in town and in the team started to pick up with more supporters at the hotel and at the field," he said.
"The vibe is here, so it is a big occasion for me, it is my first World Cup and to be part of something like this is amazing."
