The Springbok scrumhalf, Faf de Klerk, may have another role to play when they tackle Romania on Sunday at the Rugby World Cup.

De Klerk, who played in his 50th Test during last week's 18-3 win over Scotland, is one of four scrumhalves named in the match 23 to face the Oaks in Pool B.

The player has an educated boot and he nailed a conversion from the touchline in Marseille last week. He will be used as a backup flyhalf to Damian Willemse who will start as the backline marshal.

Ruan Pienaar in action for the Springbok against Argentina at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England - SkySport

Explaining the decision, the Springbok coach, Jacques Nienaber drew a comparison between the Cheetahs great, Ruan Pienaar, and De Klerk.

“Faf is also one of our backup flyhalves in the squad, and the same applies to him, as it will be valuable for him and the team to get some game time in the position.

“We have been rotating and testing players in different positions since last season to put us in the fortunate position to have a group of 33 players in France that are closely matched in terms of their quality of play and skills.

“This is a nice opportunity to give him an opportunity at ten in controlling the game. It's almost like Ruan Pienaar. If I can take you back to Ruan, who played nine, but was a more than capable flyhalf.”

“For us it's not a risk - it's well calculated. We are comfortable with what we saw in training sessions against each other and we believe that the guys we selected are good enough in those positions to beat the opposition that we are playing.”

On the topic of flyhalf, the Springboks may have an ideal opportunity to fly in the experienced Handré Pollard.

Pollard missed out on selection for the World Cup due to injury and there are concerns about Manie Libbok’s kicking off the tee. While Libbok is certainly next level on the attack, he is unfortunately not as reliable with the boot.

The injury to the stalwart hooker Malcolm Marx is no doubt a blow, but the position is covered in the squad, and this may allow for Pollard to be brought in as an injury replacement.

Former Cheetahs captain Torsten van Jaarsveld at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan - Getty

Meanwhile, two current Cheetahs and one former Cheetah, as well as a Griqua will be in action for Namibia on Friday evening when they tackle the All Blacks in Toulouse.

Chucky van der Westhuizen and Aranos Coetzee will be in action against the three-time champions, while the former Cheetahs captain, Torsten van Jaarsveld, will also play.  The Griquas lock, Johan Retief will start in the number four jersey.

Van der Westhuizen told OFM Sport that they are out to earn the respect of the All Blacks.

“It's always a difficult one playing against the All Blacks, but it is every young boy's dream,” said Van der Westhuizen.

“They're a quality side and they can't pick a B-team. They can only have 33 players in their squad and all of them are quality players.

“Our only goal and mission is to earn their respect, to make them work for their points and put them under pressure where we can.

“They are here to mean business and we are here to earn their respect. We have our own goals, plans and preparations in place and let’s see if we can execute it to the best of our ability.

“We must take it as a learning curve as it's always nice to measure yourselves against some of the best players in the world.

“I think it's going to be a cracker of a game.”

This game in Toulouse kicks off on Friday night at 21:00. On Sunday at 15:00 the Boks face Romania in Bordeaux.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport