By Iain Payten, Former Australian Captain August 05, 2009

George Smith for most of his career had only to survive the onslaught of giant Springboks forwards to work his magic at the breakdown.

Key man … Brussow’s scavenging ability to hamper Wallabies. Getty

But, just as Richie McCaw discovered during the past fortnight, Smith now has a “small” problem in the Boks pack to deal with.

The problem’s name is Heinrich Brussow, and the Springboks’ first genuine No.7 in years has swiftly established himself as a massive headache for rugby’s biggest stars.

Brussow, 23, has played just six Tests but such is the influence of the pocket-rocket flanker that he has already helped the world champions evolve into an even more formidable opponent.

Having long eschewed the openside flanker in favour of brawn and more brawn, Brussow’s emergence during the recent British and Irish Lions series has seen South Africa re-embrace the traditional scavenger role.

Brussow’s frenetic 18-minute cameo in the second Test was crucial to the Boks wrapping up the series, and after the Cheetahs No.7 replaced the suspended Schalk Burger, the 181cm youngster backed it up with brilliant form against the All Blacks.

More than matching McCaw in fierce tackling, pressure on the ball and general nuisance value, Brussow was man of the match in the first Springboks victory and unlucky not to claim the award again in the Boks’ second win.

It has been a rapid rise, but one Smith has certainly noticed. After clashing with McCaw in his 100th Test in Auckland, the Wallabies star is hoping to lock horns with the new boy in his 101st on Saturday.

“You can see how determined he is out there on the field and the way he attacks those breakdowns and doesn’t let go of it,” Smith said yesterday.

“As a backrow, we are going to have to beat him into those ruck areas and minimise as much disruption he can do to the team.

“Brussow is playing particularly well at the moment, he is getting turnovers all over the field and playing behind a very good pack. He brings a different element that you have to be wary of, and I am pretty excited about the challenge this weekend.”