Johannesburg: Sekope Kepu says it's "scary" to think he is almost a decade older than up and coming tight-head props Tom Robertson and Allan Alaalatoa, but is impressed with the new generation, even if it they are keeping him on his toes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kepu, 30, has returned this year from a stint with French club Bordeaux and will feature in his 71st Test for the Wallabies against the Springboks in Pretoria on Saturday (Sunday 01:05 AEST).
Kepu has been sound this year in a solid Wallabies pack, after improving his technique with countless hours on the training paddock in the renowned scrummaging nation that is France.
While lineout wobbles have been sorted, Australia's scrum has been consistent, aside from a slightly off game against Argentina in Perth in which they lost three of their 12 feeds.
Kepu believes the likes of Robertson and Alaalatoa, both 22, have emerged as well-equipped front-row replacements, even if it reminds Kepu just how old he is actually is.
"It's exciting and scary for me because I'm almost ten years older than those guys," Kepu said. "I'm just more happy for Australian rugby that we've got guys coming through and the important thing for those young guys is to get that experience and bide their time.
"The last thing you want to do is get thrown in the deep end and lose your confidence pretty easily, so they're in a great program.
"It's exciting for me to know that one day when I move on there's a lot of great young props. Not only can they scrum but they run and carry the ball a fair bit."
Alaalatoa has not trained with his teammates yet, instead being put through a number of physical tests in order to see if his knee will be right for Saturday's match.
Even if Alaalatoa is deemed fit, Robertson will be nipping at his heels again after impressing not only Cheika, but Kepu, in his Test debut against the Pumas.
"He's a hard working, tough nut," said Kepu of Robertson. "He holds his weight really well and he's always wanting to learn. He did really well in his debut a couple of weeks ago and he's a smart kid, so he's always working and he's always asking questions.
"I'm sure he'll be there in the program for the next little while and that's competition to myself and Al and everyone else that is at tight-head so that is always helpful."
While Kepu says he was fortunate to be able to fine-tune his scrummaging in France, he knows there is one thing his fellow forwards will need to specifically overcome in South Africa; the altitude factor.
Loftus Versfeld is 1350 metres above sea level, meaning players can expect to be shorter of breath than they normally would be back home.
"I've had some experiences where in the warm-up you feel like you're so tired," Kepu said. "It's training that throughout the week and getting used to it and just training your mind, not even thinking about it. That's rugby. They play in this so we have to play in it as well."
The Wallabies have never won a Test at Pretoria and their last victory on South African soil came in 2011; a 14-9 victory that Kepu was apart of and one he would love to replicate.
"It would mean a lot," Kepu said. "Winning away games is not always easy and especially here in South Africa when rugby is a big part of their culture. We're in the same boat as they were a few weeks ago and I know that they're going to be tough and we have got to bring our A-game. I'm sure they're burning to look for that victory and we'll be doing our best to come out on top."
