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The powerfully-built prop is one of three debutants in South Africa’s run-on team and the Bulls front-ranker said that he cannot wait to take to the field.
“It’s a great opportunity. It’s what every youngster dreams about in South Africa, to play in the green and gold, and I’m looking forward to every moment of it,” said Kruger.
The 26-year-old Kruger, who was born in Kempton Park, can expect a tough baptism of fire against an Australia outfit still smarting from their shock 32-23 loss and the hands of Samoa but Kruger will be helped in that his good friend, and fellow Bull, Dean Greyling will be at loosehead.
“It makes it very special to have dean making his debut as well. Him and I play together almost every weekend for the Bulls so to get our first caps together is awesome,” Kruger enthused.
Kruger is also well aware that a Wallaby team, showing seven changes from the playing XV that succumbed to Samoa, will be out to silence their critics.
“It’s going to be a big challenge and I expect the Wallabies to turn up this weekend. I think they will be a lot better than what they were against Samoa.
“It’s going to be a different side than the one they put out against Samoa so the players will still have a lot of confidence that they, especially the Reds’ players, built up during Super Rugby,” he explained.
Kruger went on to say that, based on his Super Rugby experience, he found that Australian teams bring something different to the art of scrumming.
“They bring a different dynamic to the scrums. They are very clinical in what they do. With Australian team in general you find the whole pack works together at scrum time.
There have been rumblings from Australian administrators that South Africa’s decision to leave 21 “injured” players at home has meant that the Springboks are fielding a “B” team against the Wallabies.
But Kruger said that all he and his team-mates are focusing on is their own performance.
“We’ve come here to give it our all. We are concentrating on putting on a Springbok performance, something that we can be proud of,” he explained.
Kruger may be a massive man but he reacts with almost childish glee when asked whether or not the Wallabies might be a weaker scrumming unit than the All Blacks.
“Ah no mate!” he chuckled “Scrums are always physical. It’s direct contact and there is no way to get around that,” he added.
John Smit also kept things simple when he was asked what sort of advice he would give his rookie props.
“With a prop it’s pretty easy. ‘Just go forward’,” said Smit.
