New South African hooker Adriaan Strauss is like a prized racehorse in the starting stall — champing at the bit, ready to get his international career going.

Speaking to us from Bloemfontein, as he was preparing to fly to Perth to join up with the Springboks for the Tri-Nations Test against Australia on Saturday, the 22-year-old front row forward expressed his surprise at his sudden call-up.

The Free State Cheetahs number two will replace the suspended Bismarck du Plessis in the Bok squad for the Round Three Tri-Nations Test against the Wallabies.

Strauss received his call-up to national duty after a Sanzar (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) judicial hearing suspended Du Plessis for three weeks on Sunday — following an incident in the South Africa's 30-28 Tri-Nations victory over New Zealand at Carisbrook, Dunedin, at the weekend.

His elevation to the Green and Gold club also follows the news that Bok captain Smit, who underwent a groin operation late last week, has been ruled out for the remainder of the Tri-Nations.

Smit injured his groin when he was spear-tackled by All Black lock Brad Thorn in the 8-19 loss to the Kiwis in Wellington in the Tri-Nations' opening match on July 5.

Thorn was later cited and banned for just one week — although he and Du Plessis miss the same number of games.

‘I never expected this’

Now Strauss, who will arrive in Perth early on Tuesday, gets his big break.

"I never expected this, not this early in my career," Strauss said about his call-up after just two injury-disrupted seasons of Super 14 rugby.

Having already chatted to his Cheetahs captain and Bok flank Juan Smith, as well as Bok mentor Peter de Villiers, the young player says he can't wait to get to Perth.

"I don't know exactly what role I will play (in the Bok team), but I just want to go out onto the field and sing the anthem, then maybe get on as a replacement and get my cap," an obviously elated Strauss told this website.

"I will do anything for the team this week, it doesn't matter what I'm required for. It is just such a privilege and honour to get the call.

"But it was very unexpected, especially at this stage of my career.

"At least I have played for Peter (de Villiers) before and that part of it will be familiar territory," Strauss said of his appearance at the 2006 International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 world championship with the De Villiers-coached SA team.

Despite having undergone surgery three times in 2006 (left shoulder) and 2007 (twice to the right shoulder), which saw him being ruled our for the entire 2007 season, he has bounced back with some impressive performances this year - playing in all 13 the Cheetahs' Super 14 games and also starring for them in the early stages of the Currie Cup.

He was in Pretoria with friends, after playing in the Cheetahs' 23-31 loss to the Blue Bulls at the weekend, when he got the call on Sunday that he must pack for Perth.

It means he will have represented his country at almost every level — SA Schools, SA Under-19 and SA Under-21 — if he makes it onto the field on Saturday.

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