Vincent Koch should come off the bench to face the sternest test of his career today when the Springboks take on the World XV at Newlands.  With the “friendly” label associated with World XV matches, both coaches will more than likely make use of the entire complement of reserves. Test caps will not be awarded in this match but Koch would have represented his country in the green and gold.

Koch is not unfamiliar with the lush green turf of Newlands, but taking on some of the best players in the world will be a step up from the Super 15 he made his name in over the past five months.

The Steval Pumas-contracted tight-head prop will probably not get more than 20 minutes of action, but he will be pushed, quite literally, harder than ever before.

Koch will be up against veteran Gurthrö Steenkamp, arguably the most experienced loose head playing at professional level, in the world. Or, should Steenkamp run out of steam, Koch will face French international, Alexandre Menini.

In either scenario, Koch will play a vital role in what is expected to be a vicious front-row battle. Manini is six years older than Koch and Steenkamp nine years older. In the mystery-machine that is the rugby-union front row, veterans do not take kindly to young debutants.

Steenkamp, South African player of the year in 2010, has played 53 times for the Springboks. He has played 76 times for Toulouse in French Top 14 and European Cup, 44 times in the Currie Cup and 69 games in Super rugby.

Manini, like Koch, made a big name for himself in rugby in a short time.

He spent nine years at various clubs in the French second division. Then, in 2013, at the age of 29 he signed with Biarritz. The next season Toulon’s veteran English giant Andrew Sheridan suffered a neck injury and Manini was loaned to Toulon. He was considered “a medical joker” a player who was just there to fill the gap while the first choice was injured. The gutsy Frenchman grabbed his opportunity with excellent, powerful scrumming technique. He won the European Cup and French Top 14 with Toulon that same season. He was signed by Toulon at the need of the season and has now played 16 matches for the club.

He made his debut for France against Australia last year and has gone on to represent his country five more times in the Six Nations.

Steval Pumas fans will be waiting with extreme excitement should Heyneke Meyer could make the call for Vincent Koch to run onto hallowed Newlands grass in a Springbok jersey.

It will be the beginning of a new challenge for the young front rower. He proved on the field of play that he has what it takes for Super rugby. He needs to do the same over the next four weeks. Koch has remarkable physical, mental and emotional strength. Over the next four weeks he is going to need it, and some more.

In 124 years 886 men have been good enough to don the green and gold. Koch has a huge task ahead of him but the reward is the greatest one a South African rugby player can achieve.