Tom Banks' strong Super Rugby form has paid off in the best way possible, giving selectors only one option when considering his case to start for the Wallabies against the Springboks.
Banks will have the first crack at playing in the fullback spot made vacant by Israel Folau, beating out Kurtley Beale and Dane Haylett-Petty and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said there was a basic reason for that.
"I don't think you can deny Tom Banks on his form from Super Rugby really, to make it pretty simple," he said.
"He's been outstanding for the Brumbies.
"Beale, I think, finished the season quite well and he's been outstanding in training.
"To have a guy with that experience in this Test match to finish for us is going to be a big plus but Banks has earned his spot and i'm sure he's going to do well because he's prepared well since he's been here, looks good."
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Banks has had a career-best season with the Brumbies, finishing in the top 10 in Super Rugby for run metres per game and tackle busts but he is also lauded for his strong kicking game, which has helped set up much of the ACT side's opportunities to show off their maul in 2019.
Cheika said Banks' ability to keep the opposition guessing was a big weapon for him.
"I like the way you're not quite sure if he's on the inside and then could be on the outside," he said.
"He reads the game well, he knows where he wants to pop up and attack from and he'll work hard in defence, he'll work hard across the field.
"The idea for him is not to make a lot of tackles, obviously, but he'll work in the back field hard, he's got good pace, there's going to be a lot of kicking threats from South Africa. He'll cover that terrain in the back field very well I think."
The Wallabies will be a different-looking attack without Folau and the big loss will be in their aerial department but Cheika said Banks would just be one part of their bigger picture.
"I think everyone's seen what Banks brings this year - different but I think pretty handy, you know," he said.
"He's got to put himself in the positions to do that, they'll be watching him obviously as they will all the players and I think teamwork's going to be really important."
Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano, who was ruled out of this weekend's Test with a shoulder injury, had no doubt Banks would be ready for Test rugby when asked about his clubmate earlier in the week.
"I've been really impressed with his form, just his application in and around training and putting his hand up as well," he said.
"So, I guess we're not selectors but i definitely feel he's ready and hopefully he does get a crack, man, I think he's been in outstanding form all year, he's tough, he rips in at training and he just goes about his work, which is something that we admire and love seeing. Hopefully he gets rewarded for that.
"Yeah and he's tough. Obviously, he's got a lot of speed there as well, I think he can cope with the Test level because of his toughness and his work ethic."
The Wallabies take on South Africa on Saturday July in Ellis Park, Johannesburg, kicking off at 5:05pm local, Sunday 1:05am AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and Kayo.
