Botes thrilled to play Boks

Durban - From the heart of one of South Africa's wine regions, the Botes family of Worcester will trek to Durban this weekend to watch rugby but they will not be supporting their beloved Springboks.

Instead they will be cheering on opponents Italy because their son Tobias is in the matchday squad and likely to get a run-out as substitute against the country of his birth.

"I've bought them all Italian jerseys to wear, 10 in total," the scrumhalf said on the eve of Saturday's test at the Kings Park Rugby Stadium.

"To play for the Boks is the dream of every South African child but it is also an honour to face up against them and I'm very proud to be able to do so in the jersey of Italy."

It will be the second successive test South Africa play against opponents with a South African-born player in the side.

In November last year they faced an England squad with Brad Barritt and Mouritz Botha among their number.

Ireland, France and Scotland all have imports from South Africa in their line-ups for internationals on Saturday.