The Wallabies are wary of the attacking game that DHL Stormers pivot Manie Libbok will bring ahead of the opening game of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Libbok was selected after first-choice flyhalf Handre Pollard was struggling with an injured calf, while Damian Willemse has just been cleared from a knee injury. Willemse will be on the bench against the Wallabies and is likely to start against New Zealand in Auckland next week.
Given Libbok's attacking flair that was part and parcel of the Stormers reaching two consecutive Vodacom United Rugby Championship finals, Wallaby utility back Reece Hodge sang his praises and gave the impression the Wallabies were wary of him.
But the likelihood is that the Wallabies will try and pressure him during the game as Libbok showed in the URC final that he has chinks in his armour, and if they can get under his skin, they may be able to disrupt the Bok backline.
"Manie got a couple of tests in the Spring tour last year and played really well," Hodge said on Tuesday afternoon from the team’s hotel in Sandton.
"He's a quality player, been playing really well for the Stormers for a number of years now and putting his hand up for selection. He hasn't let the Springboks down when he's got a chance at test level."
While there have been suggestions in the Australian media that the Springboks had “disrespected” the Wallabies by splitting their squad and sending 13 players to New Zealand to overcome the jetlag ahead of next weekend’s clash against the All Blacks, Hodge wasn’t going to take the bait and rather said it was a luxury that few sides had - to be able to send almost a full team early while having the depth to select a quality outfit to play at home.
"They have the luxury of four or five or six guys in every position. Make no mistake, it's a very high-quality team and it's going to be a massive test for us," Hodge added.
"They're going to be coming out firing in their first home test of the year so we don't really expect too much different there in terms of selection."
KEEN TO KICK AT ALTITUDE
Hodge’s massive boot has been a key part of the Wallabies over the years and he joked that he was looking forward to trying a few from his own half in the altitude where the ball travels further.
But his answer also hinted at the fact that the Aussies may not play an open game and are likely to keep it tight with a lot of contestable kicks on Saturday.
"It is a big part of the game, the ball travels a bit further," Hodge explained. "South Africa have traditionally been a very good kicking side. They put a lot of pressure on teams through contestable kicks.
"We will have to be smart in terms of how we counteract that and put pressure on them through our own kicking game. It will be a massive part of the match.
"It's certainly exciting for a kicker to get a few extra bonus metres."
Hodge also sang lyrical about his coach Eddie Jones, who he believes has upped the ante around the team preparation.
"One thing that Eddie has brought in is a lot of detail, he is one of the hardest workers I have come across," Hodge said.
"He is meticulous in his preparation, both in the last two weeks of our camp and in this week leading up to the test."
The Wallabies are likely to name their side on Thursday for the clash and are likely to pick their strongest available team, including a massive pack to try and go toe-to-toe with the Boks.