Gaffie du Toit's return to big-time rugby will reach full circle when he runs out at fullback in the Springboks' tour finale against the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

Du Toit and halfback partner Dave von Hoesslin were cruelly singled out for public criticism by then coach Nick Mallett after the Boks' 28-0 defeat against the All Blacks in Dunedin last year. Since then, Von Hoesslin's career has taken a nose-dive, but Du Toit fought his way back from the doldrums to renewed international recognition under new coach Harry Viljoen.

Now, after consistently good performances for the midweek side, the exciting footballer is back in the limelight. His inclusion in what is basically a Test side is an indication that he is part of Viljoen's future plans. On Thursday, Du Toit expressed his joy to be back in the frame after an uncomfortable period out in the cold.

"I'm very happy to be back and the way my return is being handled makes it easier. Harry told me right from the start he wants me to play all the midweek games and that we could possibly look at the last match of the tour for me to sit on the bench," the big utility back said.

"I'm glad about the way they've handled it, rather than being thrown into the deep end again," he added. "There is a lot of pressure on you when you get thrown in the deep end. I prefer to be brought back gradually and I also think that's the right way of going about things. There is less pressure in this game and I'm happy with that."

The 24-year-old admits he is still busy coming to terms with his widely publicised humiliation after the Dunedin debacle. His confidence in tatters, it took a move from Kimberley to Durban to get him back on the road to "recovery". But the hurt is gone now and he's well on his way to being the self-assured player he was before. He is looking ahead, not backwards.

"When I left Griquas, where I played under Andre Markgraaff, my confidence was high, but for the next two years with the Springboks I took somewhat of a knock. Playing for the Sharks this season, I gained a lot in self-confidence," the former University of Stellenbosch student said.

"The way we played on tour and the chances I had in the midweek side have done my confidence a world of good and the fact that I'm being brought back gradually to top level rugby helps. It gave me time to grow in confidence," he said.

It looks like his Springbok future lies at fullback, but a lot of people still think his big boot and explosive attacking talents would be best utilised at flyhalf. Du Toit, however, is in no hurry to make a choice. "I played all my tour games at fullback, except for the last one where I played the second half at flyhalf. I'm just happy as long as I can play," he said.

"At the end of the day, they select a team that's best suited to the game they want to play in a particular match, so I don't complain. A lot of people ask me which position I prefer, but at this stage I cannot make a decision.

"It's been only a year that I've had a chance to establish myself at fullback. I've done some good things, but I've also done bad things. I feel happy with my season, but I cannot say I prefer fullback to flyhalf or vice versa at this stage. I'm just glad to be back in the Springbok set-up," Du Toit said.

To him, Sunday's game is not a make-or-break one. It's just a game he wants to enjoy. "There is no doubt in my mind that I have the talent to play at this level and I don't think I have anything to prove on Sunday. I'm going to put myself under pressure by telling myself I have to play a blinder to get back into the Test side. I'm relaxed and I'll approach it that way.

"It's not a Test, but it's still an important game, because we are playing against a very good side. It doesn't matter how we're going to play; I'm keen to play my part for the team. I'm just going out to enjoy it," he concluded.