Du Preez's big Eden Park audition for the Springboks against the Wallabies

AFTER starting the Springboks’ first match of the season against the Barbarians, loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez has pretty much been carrying tackle bags over the last two months.

- JOHN GOLIATH

His initial foray into the team was necessitated by the suspension of regular No 8 Jasper Wiese.

But he was still overlooked for the Boks’ Test against Georgia and the first Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies when Wiese was again suspended following a headbutt in the second Italy Test.

Last weekend against the Wallabies, captain Siya Kolisi packed down at the back of the scrum, and before that, utility forward Cobus Wiese wore the No 8 jersey against Georgia.

But Kolisi’s knee injury has opened the door for Du Preez to make a significant statement at No 8, having been selected in the Bok starting lineup for this weekend's crucial Rugby Championship rematch against the Wallabies in Cape Town.

Jasper Wiese is also set to miss the Springboks’ highly anticipated clash against the All Blacks at Eden Park, while Kolisi is also touch and go for the big clash. With Stormers No 8 Evan Roos not really in the picture, Du Preez has the chance this weekend to cement his place in the starting lineup for that massive clash in Auckland.