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Springbok No.8 Ryan Kankowski, who will get his first Test run of the year against the British and Irish Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday, is hopeful of a more "open" game than what has been the case in the first two Tests.

The 23-year-old Kankowski watched Pierre Spies wear the No.8 jersey in the first two Tests - won 26-21 and 28-25, as the Boks took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

He now hopes that with the series decided, both teams will play a more expansive game, which will suit his running game.

Kankowski will join his father Tino in a rare father-son combination to have played against the Lions. Kankowski Senior, a wing in his days, played for Eastern Province against the Lions in 1980.

"It is very special, he phoned me yesterday," Ryan Kankowski said, when quizzed about his father.

"It means a lot for him to see his son playing and for me it is a great honour playing for your country against the B&I Lions  - it is going to be awesome."

His focus quickly turned to Saturday's game and what could be expected from both teams.

"I think so," he said, when asked about a more expansive approach, adding: "For us there is not much to worry about, you don't have to worry about losing.

"However, the main thing for us is to go for the 3-0 series win, and they [the Lions] will obviously look to win the last Test.

"I think it is going to be a good game and I think both teams may look to throw it around a bit and try things.

"I'm really looking forward to it and I always enjoy running with the ball."

He also spoke of his battle with Spies for the No.8 jersey.

"It is always good to have a bit of competition for positions," Kankowski said, adding: "Pierre is a great player and if you have two guys competing for the same position you only bring out the best in each other.

"He [Spies] has been playing and now it is my chance, so hopefully it goes well."

He was also excited about the new Bok loose forward combination that will take to the field on Saturday - with Cheetahs stars Juan Smith and Heinrich Brüssow on the flanks and Kankowski at No.8.

"I played with Juan [Smith] before and with Heinrich on the year-end tour in November, as well as having played Sevens with Heinrich, so I have been out there with them both."

He said he is expecting "a really tough game" from the Lions on Saturday.

"They have changed their loose trio to have two fetchers, and Heaslip at the back, and we can expect a really physical game up front," he added.

By Jan de Koning, in Johannesburg