Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Saturday's clash between the Springboks and the Barbarians in London is providing a number of young South Africans a chance to impress on the highest stage.
It is not an official Test match, but the players will still be wearing the green and gold and will be performing with the eyes of Allister Coetzee firmly on them.
One such youngster is Jean-Luc du Preez.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Sharks in 2016 and quickly made a name for himself as a physical ball carrier who is as solid as anyone.
As a result, he has been named in Coetzee's squad for the end-of-year tour.
Du Preez is expected to start against the Barbarians on Saturday and he will also be in the running to earn a first Test cap against England, Italy or Wales in the coming weeks.
His father and new Sharks Super Rugby coach Robert du Preez addressed media in Durban on Tuesday, and he confirmed that Jean-Luc had been extremely involved at training.
Jean-Luc spent most of the Super Rugby season in the No 7 jersey, but it seems that Coetzee is exploring his options with the youngster.
"I chatted to him and he was saying to me how he was bombarded with all this information because they wanted him to cover 6, 7 and 8," Robert du Preez said of his son.
"That's good. Our young players need to be put under that type of pressure. That's certainly very good for his development from a mental point of view."
Oupa Mohoje has been the choice Springbok No 7 for Coetzee in recent matches.
