On the eve of the clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks at Newlands, coach Peter de Villiers has fiercely defended his selection of soon-to-be 100-capped Percy Montgomery.
De Villiers named the veteran fullback in his starting 15 ahead of Conrad Jantjes, for which he was immediately criticised by Cedric Frolick, deputy chairperson of the parliamentary sports portfolio committee, who expressed dismay that the coach was picking fewer and fewer black players.
Montgomery will on Saturday become the first Bok in history to play 100 Tests for South Africa.
But De Villiers has stood by his selections and defended the blond rugby superstar, saying that picking Montgomery for his 100th Test was the right decision.
"Monty's been a great servant to rugby and it is unfair to put it out there as if I am doing him a favour. He is doing us a favour by being there and I think what he deserves is 100 percent (support) for the 100th game he will play for his country.
"We should put a red carpet from the hotel to the stadium for a guy like that, who is very humble. I can assure you we never gave him a chance. He took the chance that life gave him and became one of our greatest players," said De Villiers.
De Villiers also took heat for selecting World Cup hero Fourie du Preez at scrumhalf ahead of another black player, Ricky Januarie.
At the same time as the criticism, Du Preez was being described by All Black coach Graham Henry as "the best scrumhalf in the world right now".
In response, Du Preez said he was grateful for the "huge compliment", but refused to be drawn into the political debate that accompanied his selection.
"After playing only 30 minutes of Test rugby this year (against Argentina last weekend), I just want to go out there and play.
"Whatever they say, I've been called the worst scrumhalf in the world as well.
"I don't want to get involved in politics. I am just a South African wanting to play rugby and a proudly South African member of society. I just want to play. Peter has picked me and I want to deliver the goods on Saturday," he said.
At a fundraising dinner at GrandWest for his club, Tygerberg, last night, De Villiers vigorously defended his selections as well as his right to pick the team of his choice without interference.
"I won't listen to what people want me to do, only to my conviction. I will make rugby decisions and nothing else. If it does not go down well, I don't care," De Villiers said to applause.
Pupils from Montgomery's alma mater, Sacs, plan to turn out at Newlands in great numbers on Saturday.
Headmaster Ken Ball told the Cape Argus: "It's a phenomenal achievement; but what sticks out for me is this man's total humility, the way he's always come back to his old school.
"He's never been afraid that he's grateful for the grounding he's got and he's kept his feet on the ground.
"He's a great role model because of his exceptional work ethic, his loyalty and his perseverance.
Meanwhile, All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith said New Zealand were satisfied with their preparation for the Test.
For the first time on a visit to Cape Town, the Kiwis stayed at the Table Bay Hotel at the V&A Waterfront, which they said was ideal in the build-up to the game.
"We've loved the weather and the people. We always approach coming here (to Cape Town) as a bit of an adventure and it's been great, because the players have been switched on this week, getting into the right frame of mind to unleash it all on Newlands."
And of the support of their Cape fans and the public interaction the All Black players had enjoyed, Smith said: "We've loved it.
"We met a guy last night we've known for a few years from coming here, and he has now helped form a Namibian supporters club, who have all come down for the game.
"I think it's great to have supporters away from home and it's been pretty healthy for us.
"It's also been a great hotel and the training facilities at Bishops have been fantastic. It's been good for the players.
"When the boots are on, you should be switched on to the job, but when they're not on, you have got to have a bit of balance.
"They've been able to talk and mingle with people and that builds a feeling for the Test."