For a 20-year-old third-choice hooker on his club team, Chiliboy Ralepelle has a lot of expectation resting on his shoulders, reports Joe Humphreys.

He has had just five minutes of playing time in a Springbok jersey but already he is being touted as a future captain of the national side.

Born in Tzaneen in South Africa's poorest, northern region of Limpopo, Ralepelle has an impressive record at underage level, captaining South Africa's Under-19s to victory in the 2005 World Championship, and captaining the under-21s to a runner-up spot in the equivalent tournament in France this year.

A product of SA Rugby's school-based talent-spotting programme, he made his senior provincial debut for the Blue Bulls - the country's top Super 14 franchise - in 2005.

The club have since used him sparingly, limiting his appearances mainly to a local cup competition. But that hasn't stopped Jake White from calling him up for his first full cap - as a token substitute in last August's 45-26 defeat to the All-Blacks in Pretoria.

Springbok selection boss Peter Jooste is among those to have raved about Ralepelle, whose statistics have him standing at 5 ft 11ins and weighing at 16 stone 3 lbs. Under-21 coach Pieter de Villiers describes him a "complete rugby player" and "natural leader". If "brought up" right Ralepelle will be the logical choice to take over the captaincy from fellow hooker John Smit, de Villiers said recently.

But some believe the youngster's progress is being rushed, with SA Rugby desperate to find a new racial balance in the team ahead of next year's World Cup.

The pressure may be starting to show on Ralepelle who had a torrid time in training for this tour. After a couple of under-par displays for the under-21s, he was criticised for some wayward throwing in lineouts during a warm-up game.

However, Ralepelle has been named on the bench for today's match, and White has promised to give him a run-out over the course of the two-country tour.