Kurt-Lee Arendse says he is looking forward to the face-off against opposite number Duhan van der Merwe in a David and Goliath battle when the Springboks clash with Scotland on Sunday evening.

The Springboks will get their World Cup title defence underway in a Pool B clash against the high-flying Scottish in Marseille (kick-off at 17:45).

Arendse will start on the right wing after Canan Moodie picked up a hamstring strain during the pre-World Cup training camp in Corsica.

This has, however, set the 1.7m, 80kg fleet-footed speedster on a collision course with Scotland’s South African-born Van der Merwe, a comparative giant at 1.9m and 106kg.

Van der Merwe has garnered a fearsome reputation of treating defenders like bowling pins in the build-up to the World Cup and scored one of the tries of the year against England in the Six Nations.

“To be honest, I am looking forward to it,” a confident Arendse said about facing Van der Merwe. “Duhan has had an amazing season so far. But I am up for the challenge.”

Arendse has also been in superb form since making his Test debut against Wales in Bloemfontein in 2002. The Paarl-born winger’s try in the record win against the All Blacks was his 11th in 10 Test matches.