'Logical decision' for Kockott
Rory Kockott said that he will make the 'logical decision' when it comes to playing Test rugby, whether for South Africa or France.
The former Sharks and Lions scrumhalf moved to Castres in 2011, and has been a major hit at the French Top 14 club as he played a vital role in them winning the title last year.
Last week he was part of the team that lost to Toulon in the final as the 'Galacticos' of rugby took the double, and he is due to qualify for French citizenship in the next few months.
This week he finds himself surrounded with more international stars as part of the World XV squad, which is the closest he has ever come to Test rugby.
Heyneke Meyer has shown that he is certainly not averse to picking overseas-based players, but Kockott has no reason to believe he is in the Bok coach's plans and made it clear that his priority is playing at the highest level, for whichever country it may be.
"That has been the question I have been asked most in the last year. It is part of the sport we play nowadays, it is part of a career it takes turns and twists.
"For me I think the logical decision will prevail at the end of the day.
"I don't think it is up to me, I will just do what I have to do in my position and what comes from this week or this match depends certainly not on my choices but the choices of the people that are in a position to make the choices," he said.
Although he will be playing against the national side for which he has been consistently overlooked, Kockott said that the match does not hold any special significance for him.
"Whether the World XV were playing against Namibia with all due respect, or whether they were playing against the All Blacks this weekend it wouldn't make a difference for me.
"I think it is a game where you play with some great players from all over the world and you want to put in a good performance, you want to enjoy the moment playing against the Springboks at Newlands.
"Not a lot of players even play for South Africa or play against the Springboks at Newlands so it is just an opportunity to enjoy it.
"Obviously like any other game you want to have a good performance and make an impact in whatever game you play," he said.
He is looking forward to playing alongside some of the Toulon players who beat them in the final last week in a team full of proven Test performers.
"The final was quite tough on us, I think we didn't have the greatest performance. We won last year obviously but Toulon had a great game and they also did the double which is great for them.
"That is the joy of professional sport, and having the chance to play with boys like those in a game like this weekend it is always great to spend some time with your opposition and play with them in a different context.
"When you mix the pot up a bit you can get a few decent recipes, it should be good rugby hopefully Cape Town allows us a bit of dry weather and with the players in the squad it will be great to play a bit of rugby that the crowds enjoy watching and that also wins games." Kockott added.
Although Kockott still considers South Africa his home, as a professional his desire to test himself at the highest level means that he will take the opportunity no matter who it comes from.
By Michael de Vries
