It may be a line borrowed from a famous Tina Turner song, but South Africa's World Cup-winning scrumhalf Fourie du Preez is 'simply the best' number nine around.

Overzealous politicians who know very little about the game will debate the 'merits’ of Du Preez against fellow Bok Ricky Januarie.

However, an objective rugby observer — from New Zealand — with no political motives, have no doubt about who the best man for the Bok number nine jersey is.

Du Preez will start in his first Test of the year when South Africa face New Zealand at Newlands on Saturday, after making his comeback to Test rugby last week — following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

A hand injury suffered in he early stages of the Super 14 has kept Du Preez off the field, but his return as a second-half replacement in the 63-9 victory over Argentina in Johannesburg last week saw him being reinstated as South Africa's first choice scrumhalf.

Some politicians felt his selection ahead of Januarie, a black (a non-white) player, showed that Bok coach Peter de Villiers — the first black Springbok coach — has ignored the wishes of government to "transform" the team.

While that debate will rage on in South Africa for some time to come, All Black coach Graham Henry — with the luxury of judging the players' rugby abilities ahead of other requirements — put his seal of approval on Du Preez.

Henry, who has seen his share of world class scrumhalves and should know what the requirements are for an international player, had no hesitation in casting his vote for Du Preez when asked for his opinion of the Bok number nine.

"He (Du Preez) is a quality player, the best halfback in world rugby right now," Henry said.

Asked about Du Preez's influence on Saturday's Tri-Nations crunch match between the All Blacks and Springboks at Newlands on Saturday, he suggested that Du Preez could play a huge role in helping with the motivation of the Boks.

"I wonder if there was perhaps an emotional button for him to play with Monty in his 100th Test," Henry said of Percy Montgomery's milestone.

"He (Du Preez) is a great servant to SA rugby and he'll probably be very motivational for the other 21 (Bok) players."

365