Odwa Nzuzo Ndungane will realise his lifelong dream — to play for the Springboks — when South Africa face Italy in a one-off Test at Newlands on Saturday. Now he hopes that soon the opposition will be seeing double.

Ndungane, one of the most consistent performers in this year's Super 14, is the identical twin of 11-times capped Bok Akona Zilindlovu Ndungane.

They both play on the wing — Odwa for the Sharks and Akona for the Bulls.

Akona played the last of his 11 Tests when he featured in the win over Wales in Cardiff last November.

Odwa Ndungane has become the 798th Springbok to represent his country, and along with Akona they are 32nd set of brothers to play for South Africa. However, they are the first set of identical twins to do so.

And Odwa says he can't wait for the day when they appear on the field in the same Springbok team — which will no doubt have the opposition seeing double. Brotherly love

Odwa said his brother has been very supportive, even though he has effectively replaced Akona in the Bok squad.

"That is just how it works," Odwa said at the team's Cape Town base on Thursday, adding that Akona's grabbed his opportunities and he (Odwa) wants to do the same.

"I don't want to let him (Akona) down and let myself down," he said, adding: "I'm looking forward to the opportunity at the weekend."

The new Bok wing, the only newcomer in the team to face Italy, said he has received plenty of advice and encouragement from his family and will be taking it all on board.

"Most of my family, my brother included, told me I must not go out there to prove a point. I must just keep playing the way I've been playing — because that is what got me here. I mustn't change anything, I must just go out there and have fun."

Thriving under De Villiers

Ndungane, who says he is a fan of Bok coach Peter de Villiers' style of guiding teams, said he is "grateful" for the opportunity to represent his country.

"I enjoy Peter de Villiers's coaching," Ndungane said, adding: "He is similar to Dick Muir (who was the Sharks coach before joining up as De Villiers' assistant last month) ... he gives you freedom to do your own thing. That is something I enjoy."

The 27-year-old Ndungane twins, who were born at St Mary's in Transkei, took their first rugby steps at Hudson Park High.

While Odwa now plays for the Sharks, he first played for the Bulls. When he moved to Durban, his brother Akona replaced him in Pretoria.

Akona earned the first of his 11 Tests caps Against Australia in Brisbane in July 2006.

Now, almost two years later, Odwa will join his twin in the coveted Green and Gold club.

365