'At last!' was the cry from one of my South African colleagues when Cheetahs flanker Heinrich Brussow was confirmed in the Springboks' side for Saturday's first Test with the British & Irish Lions in Durban.

It appears South Africa coach Peter de Villiers - or P Divvy as some call him - has finally woken up to what nearly every local has made a point to tell me since my travels began - that Brussow is the best No.6 (openside according to SA tradition) at his disposal - even when Springboks stalwart Schalk Burger is fit.

The 22-year-old is a rising star of South African rugby who made his debut for the Springboks on their end of year tour last year and will make his first start against the tourists at Kings Park. In this year's Super 14 he dominated his rivals including Richie McCaw - widely considered as the best openside in the world. That form was underlined with a stand-out performance against the Lions in Bloemfontein where he terrorised the tourists at the breakdown and that will not have been lost on De Villiers and co.

The modest Bloem native refused to talk up his international chances following that game, preferring to keep his head down and "work hard". Sources tell me he was written off as one-dimensional by De Villiers himself just a few weeks but perhaps that was a ploy to bring out the best in Brussow? Unlikely. There appears to have been a change of heart by the Springboks' management and Brussow will now form part of what on paper is an outstanding back row trio including Juan Smith and Pierre Spies. Burger's injury may turn out to be a fortunate twist of fate for both Brussow and De Villiers.

The announcement of the Springboks' side to take on the Lions has confirmed what we already knew - that they remain a very strong side and heavy favourites no matter who the tourists put on the park to face them.