Cape Town - Former Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss is predicting a bright international career for his successor in the No 2 jersey, Malcolm Marx.
Strauss retired from international rugby at the end of 2016 - a horror season which saw the Boks win only 4 of 12 Tests - but he’s been keeping a close eye on proceedings in 2017.
Strauss believes Marx has stepped into his shoes with aplomb.
“Malcolm had a very good game (against New Zealand in Cape Town)," Strauss told the KweseESPN website. "But to be honest with you, I think he's had a good couple of seasons. I think he's an exceptional player, he's very well built, he's an intimidating player because of his size but he's a hard worker as well. That's what's going to really set him apart.”
Strauss is expecting Marx to own the Springbok No 2 jersey over the next few years.
"He's not going to be a one-hit wonder I believe. He's got all the ingredients of an excellent rugby player - of a world, world, world class rugby player - and he's a hard worker and I think that will really set him apart."
Strauss is currently in the Barbarians squad and will be on the bench at Munster's Thomond Park Friday night as they take on Tonga.
Barbarians team:
15 George Bridge (Crusaders), 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs & Australia), 13 Richard Buckman (Highlanders), 12 Harold Vorster (Lions), 11 Vince Aso (Hurricanes), 10 Robert du Preez (Stormers), 9 Nic Stirzaker (Rebels), 8 Willie Britz (Sunwolves), 7 Simone Favaro (Fiamme Oro & Italy), 6 Jordi Murphy (Leinster & Ireland), 4 Geoff Parling (Munakata Sanix Blues & England, captain), 3 Brian Scott (Munster), 2 Akker van der Merwe (Sharks), 1 James Cronin (Munster and Ireland)
Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss (Bulls & South Africa), 17 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions), 18 Ruan Smith (Toyota Verblitz), 19 Donncha O’Callaghan (Worcester Warriors & Ireland), 20 John Muldoon (Connacht & Ireland), 21 Andy Ellis (Kobelco Steelers & New Zealand), 22 David Smith (Castres), 23 Sam Carter (Brumbies & Australia)