Crusaders second five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams will come up against a host of Springboks in the Stormers backline, in a match that could be last year’s newest All Black biggest test of his rugby career.

He will be matched head-to-head with Jean de Villiers, whose form this season has been world class, putting in man of the match performances which have likely secured him as the starting Springboks number 12 already.

The 67-test Springbok not only has the edge on Williams with experience, but is hardly a lightweight compared to Sonny Bill, a formidable centre at 1.90m and 103kg.

It will also be a match that Springboks coach Peter de Villiers said will prove whether or not Williams is the real deal.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Sonny Bill against a Jean de Villiers and a Jaque Fourie, who can cut down (his) space … and on the inside you’ve got big, hard tackles coming in from a Schalk Burger,” the South African test coach said.

“See (whether) the boxer can box then, or the dancer can dance.”

However Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder told stuff.co.nz that the hyped midfield clash was something Sonny Bill would relish.

“I think he’ll go well [against De Villiers]. He steps up for the big ones… he’s a big-game player,” Blackadder said.

The media in South Africa have been in a spin with the arrival of Williams, with the Stormers acknowledging not only the threat of Sonny Bill, but the challenge of playing world rugby’s “greatest franchise”.

Blackadder said it wasn’t just about his star second five.

“It’s too much to put it on just one guy to expect him to break the Stormers down,” he said.

“This isn’t the Sonny Bill Williams team. Everyone is going to have to play their part.”

“It’s going to be team on team and not so much about individuals. But he will play his part. It’s the same for Jean de Villiers. He is a fantastic player, but only one important cog in a bigger machine. Hopefully if they put lots of attention on him there’ll be some space for other boys.”