Cape Town - New Springbok lock recruit Franco Mostert says he will look to learn as much as possible from team-mates Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager.
The 25-year-old Lions enforcer was called up to the Springbok squad this week after Pieter-Steph du Toit pulled out with a hamstring injury.
Mostert has been a revelation since he joined the Lions from the Bulls three years ago and many pundits have tipped him for higher honours.
De Jager and Etzebeth are expected to start in the first Test against Ireland at Newlands, but Mostert is just happy to be part of the Springbok set-up.
“It’s really nice. You learn a lot from them,” Mostert said of his two lock team-mates. “They have been part of the Springboks, both have played 30 Tests.
“And they have gained experience by learning from Victor (Matfield) and Bakkies (Botha), so it’s a big learning curve for me.”
Mostert was initially picked in the SA ‘A’ squad and admitted the Springbok call came unexpected.
“It’s every guy's dream to be part of the Boks. It was a surprising call but it was a call which brought joy and piece to my heart."
The Boks will face Ireland in Cape Town (June 11), Johannesburg (June 18) and Port Elizabeth (June 25).