Nche spoke highly of the way the Wallabies raised their standard of play in their last two matches against the British & Irish Lions and said it would be a tight tussle between the teams.

“We saw in their last two Tests against the British & Irish Lions how they started to gel and improve, while they are also developing good combinations with players who have been playing together for a while, so they’ll definitely be up for the game,” said Nche, who will run out for his 42^nd cap in Johannesburg.

“Their set pieces have also improved, and they have a solid pack, so we are expecting them to challenge us in the scrums and lineouts. We have no doubt they’ll be fired up and keen to try to make their presence felt in the areas of the game they are strong at.”

Fassi echoed these sentiments and said the Boks have been preparing well for Saturday’s Test: “We know it’s going to be a physical game, and with the backs they have, we are also expecting an expansive game. That said, just as they have their plans, we have ours, and we know what we have to do no matter what they throw at us because it’s important for us to play our brand of rugby.”

The exciting fullback was revealed as one of the goal-kicking options this week by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, and Fassi said he embraced the challenge.

“I’ve been practicing my kicking a lot, even before I joined the Boks this season, and I’m confident with the way things are going,” said Fassi, who has scored seven tries in his 12 Tests to date, including a belter last year against the Wallabies in Perth.

“So, when coach Rassie told me that I’ll also be a kicking option, it was a matter of putting my head down and continuing to put in the work.”

With speculation rife over the last day that the Wallabies may pick James O’Connor at flyhalf for the clash, Fassi said it would not make a difference who they selected as the Boks were focused on their own game.

“It won’t change the way we want to play if they select him because we know what we want to do on the field,” said Fassi. “He’s a good player with a good skillset, and he’s played against us before, so for us it is all about doing things the Springbok way.”

When quizzed about the challenge of defending the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title, Nche said: “We are a year older as some say, but so are the other teams, and they’ve gained that experience as well.

“If one looks at how the opposition teams have performed this year, both Argentina and Australia beat the British & Irish Lions, so it will be a challenging competition for all the teams.

“But in terms of trying to defend our title, we are certainly going to do everything we can to achieve that.”

Nche also had words of advice for the Springbok Women who will represent the country in the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England and said: “We wish them all the best, and we hope they go out there and give their all, while at the same time making memories and doing it for the country.”

The match kicks off at 17h10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.