All Blacks utility back Ben Smith is relishing the prospect of facing the Springboks at his homeground, the Forsyth Barr stadium, in Dunedin on Saturday.
Smith said playing in the stadium with it's enclosed roof is a wonderful experience.
"It's a great stadium for running rugby and it's a great place to play," he told Fairfax Media.
"It will be awesome to get in there. I went to a couple of Rugby World Cup games there last year and there's a great atmosphere when it's a packed stadium. It's pretty exciting."
Smith's utility value means he has been on the All Blacks' replacements bench for all three their previous matches in the tournament.
The Highlanders stalwart can play at full-back, wing and centre and said he does not mind where he is selected for Saturday's Test as long as he gets the opportunity to run out at his home stadium.
"I suppose you just have to prepare a wee bit differently (coming off the bench)," he explained.
"You have to do your homework during the week on a couple of positions so I know what my role is if I come on in a certain position.
"I'm covering centre which is another challenge, but I've had a wee bit of game time there.
"You are involved with the defence and the defensive patterns a lot more. It's quite different from fullback in that regard.
"Attacking-wise you're also a lot closer to the action. I don't want to say which I prefer, at the moment I'm just happy to play wherever.
"I'm just happy to get out there whenever I get my chance."
Comments
Ferdie says...
well, that didn't quite work out, he has not made the squad for this test, tamati ellison instead as backs reserve
Posted 00:22 13th September 2012