Botha is hot to trot

Veteran South Africa second row Bakkies Botha admits he may "blow a bit of smoke early on" but cannot wait to face Fiji in their Pool D match on Saturday.

The 32-year-old, who missed his side's opening 17-16 win over Wales because of a persistent achilles problem, was passed fit to step in for long-term second row partner Victor Matfield (hamstring) for the Wellington Regional Stadium match.

"I'll still feel a little bit of stiffness, but it's like that old farm vehicle in the morning - it smokes a bit but, when you drive it, after an hour, it's hot and it can go," he told a press conference on Thursday.

South Africa have been hard hit by injuries, especially in the second row where Matfield is sidelined and reserve Johann Muller will face a late fitness test on a tight hamstring.

Botha denied that he had been put under pressure to play and that aggravating his injury could end his Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign, insisting he had the full backing of medical staff to return.

Ready for weekend

"I definitely know I'm ready for this weekend, so it doesn't matter what happens on the positive or negative side.

"I truly believe that when you pull on the green and gold jersey you must give 100 per cent and that's what I'm going to give. If my heel's not going to make it, it's not going to make it. If it lasts for 80 minutes, it lasts for 80 minutes."

The Springboks are also missing centres Butch James (hip flexor), Jean de Villiers (rib cartilage) and prolific-scoring wing Bryan Habana (patella tendon).

In the absence of James and de Villiers, Frans Steyn moves from full back to inside centre, making way for 20-year-old Patrick Lambie to come in for his RWC debut.

"It's a million times better than Christmas morning, I can assure you of that," Lambie said when asked if he felt like "a little kid at Christmas".

Lambie, at 177cm and 90kg, is not daunted by the prospect of facing a rampaging Fijian, adding: "Something I was told when I was a youngster is that everyone's ankles are similar sizes, so you'll find me going for his ankles."