THERE will be a mini South African battle when Worcester Rugby Club travel to Waterloo tomorrow when two Springbok centres square up in the National Division One encounter.

In the Gold'n'Blue corner Rudi Keil will face Freeman Payne in the Red and Green corner as leaders Worcester look to extend their six-point lead at Blundellsands as second-placed Leeds travel to Coventry.

Keil, who only arrived in England on Monday, makes his debut in a much-changed Worcester side which includes five changes to the team which beat Moseley 34-6 last week.

Payne, who joined Waterloo in the summer, was brought to the club by new coach Steve Olivier and has helped the Liverpool side to home wins over Exeter and London Welsh so far this season.

And there is an extra Springbok connection as Olivier is South African through and through. The 40-year-old has already made a big difference at the club, but knows his side are in for a test at the weekend.

He said: "It's going to be very tough but we are capable of flashes of brilliance and we have beaten good sides already this season. We certainly don't fear Worcester because, to be honest, we don't know that much about most of the teams in the league. That can help you because there is no fear factor for us -- it is a step into the unknown."

Olivier added: "It is difficult to achieve consistency when you are a part-time club but we are going in the right direction. Hopefully, when Worcester come here tomorrow, the conditions should be right for a good game of rugby."