Asked about his feelings of lingering insecurity about his value to the squad, he said: “I think it’s not a bad thing. We’ve got very strong competition in the group and that will just bring out the best in me.
“I don’t want to let any of the boys down and that’s a focus or mindset that helps me be on the top of my game.”
Odendaal described his first-half try against Saracens as a “surreal moment” which will live in his memory for many years – and he would love to add one or two more against Bath to help Saints bring home the trophy.
“I was lucky to get the nod. I didn’t know how team selection was going to go,” he said.
“It was an awesome victory for us against Sarries. We knew it was going to be a tough one but we said if we put the focus on us and put our rugby on the pitch, we’ll get the result in the end. I am super-stoked for the final this weekend.”
He added: “This is going to be massive for me. I’ve never played in a stadium that big and it’s already sold out, so it’s definitely going to be the biggest crowd I’ve played before.”