And while the 20-year-old is the least experienced in the Brumbies' touring squad, he's the cool kid in South Africa with all the local knowledge.

After spending the past six months trying to feel comfortable in Australia, Oosthuizen is back home where his rugby career started.

Brumbies coach Jake White spotted the junior Springbok while on holidays in South Africa last year and signed him to a two-year contract.

The 198-centimetre, 120-kilogram monster lock moved his life to a new country and culture to chase his rugby dreams.

But returning to South Africa for games against the Durban Sharks and Cape Town Stormers is his chance to be the Brumbies' expert.

''Everything is familiar for me here. I can help the boys out if they need something or want to know something, just like they do for me in Australia,'' Oosthuizen said.

''I took Scott Sio to my favourite place for lunch at the airport and I'm just going to show the guys my favourite foods in South Africa.

''In South Africa we're big on meat. I'll show them some good places.

''There are a lot of cultures over here, so some things might be different to a lot of normal meals … I'll keep it pretty basic for them.''

Oosthuizen took a massive chance to leave Johannesburg and join the Brumbies last November.

At the time he was excited for a rugby opportunity under South African World Cup winner White.

But he realised he'd be leaving his family, friends and life behind. Getting picked to tour with the unbeaten Brumbies is the first chance he's had to return home since moving to Canberra.

He'll push for a spot in the squad to play the Sharks on Sunday, but it's more likely he will get a chance against the Stormers.

White left it until the very last minute to tell Oosthuizen he was getting a trip home, only telling him less than 24 hours before the Brumbies left the capital.

The Brumbies have got a strong South African influence. White, Oosthuizen, Clyde Rathbone, Ruan Smith, Mark Swanepoel and Stephan van der Walt all have South African links. English is Oosthuizen's second language so when he doesn't understand something at training, White speaks to him in Afrikaans.

''I think Etienne is going to give us a massive boost in South Africa,'' White said. ''He understands the psyche, he's played in the stadiums, he knows the players and I've got no doubt if he gets a chance, he'll want to make sure people in South Africa notice him.''

Oosthuizen has played for the junior Springboks and made his Super Rugby debut for the Johannesburg Lions last year. White recruited him with the aim of developing him into a lock capable of playing for the Wallabies.

''I feel faster and stronger than I've ever been and the Brumbies is the best rugby program I've been involved in,'' Oosthuizen said.

''I'm in another country working on something I love to do and I don't regret it for one minute, it's the best decision I've made in my career.

''We're the enemy over here, but with the South Africans in the team I think we've at least got some support,'' he said.