Rugby: Pretorius confident of Super Rugby season stunner

Sarel Pretorius. Photo / Supplied

Waratahs halfback Sarel Pretorius is a long way from home but is confident he can capture the attention of South African selectors with a bumper Super Rugby season.

Some might say Sydney is out of sight, out of mind for a player with hopes of representing the Springboks, but Pretorius believes succeeding in NSW could be the ideal way to make some noise at the selection table.

The 27-year-old was the South African Super player of the year in 2011, but in many respects he's been underappreciated back home because he's not their archetypal No.9.

Springboks culture values sturdy scrumhalves with skilled kicking games, a reflection of their emphasis on power rugby.

But size and a style of play based on kicking isn't Pretorius' main strength, with his attacking instincts and brilliant running game being what has got Michael Foley and the Waratahs so excited.

His former team the Cheetahs played an expansive style of rugby under coach Naka Drotske and the noted try-scorer excelled.

Pretorius, who was man-of-the-match in the Waratahs 52-0 trial thumping of Tonga on Friday night, says he's enjoyed playing with more structure so far at NSW and is hoping this can boost his international ambitions.

"Structure wise the coach will back you 100 per cent with your decisions and so will the rest of the team so it's good," Pretorius told AAP.

"I think (my main strength) is just to be in the right place at the right time, and most importantly make the right decisions at the right times.

"I'm here because I want to learn from the Waratahs and I'm going back to the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup, so hopefully I can take some experience back home.

"I've been at the Cheetahs for three seasons, so this is just something different just to mix it up a bit and learn from the guys."

Foley is eager to see Pretorius' combination with No.10 Berrick Barnes develop in the early rounds, starting with next Saturday's season-opener against Queensland.

The Waratahs are a team actively looking to become a better attacking unit, and Pretorius a halfback hoping to change the minds of conservative judges back home.

"The referees are keen to police the offside line a lot tighter this year which is a good thing and I think having an attacking No.9, a threat in that area is very, very important," said Foley.

-AAP