Jean-Luc du Preez's long walk back into the Springboks' starting Test jersey

Jean-Luc du Preez is pretty conscious of the fact that he hasn’t started a Test in a Springbok jersey for seven years.

At yesterday's media briefing in Cape Town ahead of the second Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies, he probably mentioned it about three or four times — most of the time with some degree of emotion.

Since making his debut against England at Ellis Park in 2018 — Siya Kolisi’s first Test as captain of the Boks — Du Preez has only made 14 appearances for the Boks as a bit-part player.

He missed out on the Springboks’ two Rugby World Cup triumphs in that time, and during some of those long absences in between matches, he thought his Bok dream was just that — a dream.

Even this year, after starting against the Barbarians, he got injured and saw regular No 8 Jasper Wiese, utility forward Cobus Wiese, and flank Kolisi all starting ahead of him.

But, as fate would have it, Du Preez will be back starting for the Boks in their crucial clash against the Wallabies in Cape Town (5.10pm kick-off), replacing Kolisi, who suffered a knee injury in their 38-22 defeat at the hands of the Australians at Ellis Park.

Sometimes having hope is a good thing. And Du Preez could never give up hope of starting for the Boks again.

“Your mind is a powerful thing. There were times that I was thinking ‘should I just give up on the Springboks?’” Du Preez revealed at the press conference.

“But I would never be able to do that. It's taken quite a while for me to start again … seven years. You can never take this for granted, because when you get your shot, you need to make it count.”

The Bordeaux Begles powerhouse knows he will be under the spotlight this weekend against the Aussies in the absence of the suspended Jasper Wiese and Kolisi, who put in a fine display against the Aussies before he suffered a knee injury.

But Du Preez says his job is very simple on Saturday … to seek and destroy.

“It's actually my first Test start in seven years, so that speaks for itself. I would just like to do my best for the team and get us on the front foot. Hopefully we can do a good job on Saturday,” said Du Preez.

“For me to come in, not starting for seven years, I've just tried not to think about the outside noise too much. I'm just trying to get my prep right this week, just to do a proper job.”

Du Preez’s experience of playing at DHL Stadium against the Barbarians should stand him in good stead for the match. He will pack down in a loose trio with Marco van Staden and Franco Mostert, who will move from lock to flank following Pieter-Steph du Toit’s injury.

All three will have to be at their best to try and fight the Wallabies at the breakdown after the Australians bossed that part of the game. The Wallabies stole a lot of ball when the Boks were on the attack to halt their momentum.

“Getting that run does help my confidence a little bit, although it is like two and a half months ago,” said Du Preez.

“We've done a lot of prep, a lot of hard work, a lot has changed. But yeah, I'm just so thankful for the opportunity to get a run and represent my country again.

“We know Fraser McReight is a very good fetcher. But for us, it's just about our urgency to the breakdown, so we've worked on that this week. And just getting in before the breakdown actually forms.”