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Cape Town - Rudy Paige will become Springbok No 869 against the USA on Wednesday if he replaces Fourie du Preez at some stage during the match.
The 26-year-old will be hoping that it is the start of a long and fruitful international career, but a look at the history between these two nations reveals a Springbok No 9 who would have his first and only start in Bok colours against the Eagles.
When the sides met in Houston in 2001, a certain Deon de Kock was making his first start for the Springboks. It would be his last.
De Kock, who had been playing for the Falcons, was a surprise call-up to then-coach Harry Viljoen's end-of-year tour to Europe and the States.
He went on tour as back-up to Joost van der Westhuizen, and made his debut off the bench against Italy on November 17, becoming Springbok No 722 in the process.
Two weeks later he was selected to start against the USA in a match the Boks won 43-20.
De Kock was considered off the pace on the tour and he never pulled on a Springbok jersey again.
Paige will be hoping that a similar fate does not await him.
Wednesday's match kicks off at 17:45.
Teams:
South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez (captain), 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger (vice-captain), 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Jan Serfontein.
USA
15 Blaine Scully, 14 Brett Thompson, 13 Folau Niua, 12 Andrew Suniula, 11 Zach Test, 10 Shalom Suniula, 9 Niku Kruger, 8 Samu Manoa (captain), 7 John Quill, 6 Danny Barrett, 5 Matthew Trouville, 4 Louis Stanfill, 3 Chris Baumann, 2 Phil Thiel, 1 Oli Kilifi
Substitutes: 16 Joe Taufetee, 17 Zach Fenoglio, 18 Mate Moeakiola, 19 Titi Lamositele, 20 Cam Dolan, 21 Al McFarland, 22 Mike Petri, 23 Chris Wyles
