The fixture sees the B&I Lions kick off their eight-match tour of South Africa and Van Rooyen says it is an honour for his side to compete in the first game against the visitors.

“We are keen to test ourselves against international players,” he said during virtual media briefing. “It’s the first time since March last year that we are not playing a local team. We’re really excited about that.”

Van Rooyen has left several of his most experienced internationals out of the match-day squad, but said that the game presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those who were selected and that they will play an all-out attacking game against the B&I Lions.

“We are going to have a full go,” he revealed. “In a big game like this, if you are too conservative and you don’t have a brave mindset, you will be in for a big hiding anyway. It is an opportunity to show what we represent and what we stand for.”

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