It could, however, all depend on how much grass, if any, groundsman Andrew McLean leaves on the St. George's pitch in the place which parades a city centre sign which says, ``Welcome to the city of opportunity''.

``If the ball is coming onto the bat, it will suit me fine,'' said the attacking batsman who will be partnering his Western Province colleague, left-hander Gary Kirsten at the start of the innings. ``I've heard that they will be leaving a bit of grass on it, that means there will be a bit of bounce, and I would love that.''

Gibbs, whose has scored 223 runs in Test matches against India, Australia and Pakistan with a top score of 54 in Sydney, is one of those players who do not agree with choosing players on anything but merit.

Recently he said: ``If I was the parent of a national hopeful, I certainly wouldn't feel happy if my son was selected to represent his country simply because he is a person of colour.''

On Saturday, the United Cricket Board of South Africa told its selectors that the national team ``should'' include a player or players of colour, on Sunday, Gibbs was named in the team as the only player of colour; and on Monday he said that the debate surrounding his selection was disappointing but would no comment - except to say this:

``Obviously I cannot say everything I would like to say. Perhaps the best way to deal with this issue is just to make a lot of runs and that will shut everyone up.''