Deon Fourie is chest out and self-assured over his role as the backup hooker for the Springboks against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
Fourie was a surprise inclusion on the bench in the No 16 jersey when the Springboks on Tuesday revealed multiple changes to the team that went down to the Wallabies in Adelaide.
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The 35-year-old made his Test debut at loose forward against Wales in Bloemfontein, a position he starred in for the title-winning Stormers last season. However, he has not played at hooker since March 2019 and has not had a full-time role in the No 2 jersey since the 2017-18 season.
Fourie’s inclusion comes at the expense of Joseph Dweba, who has fallen out of the match-day 23 after struggling to consistently hit his lineout targets.
“That’s only a small part of the game. There are a lot more responsibilities in the game than just lineout throwing,” Fourie answered when asked about his role as hooker.
“I’ve been doing it for quite a while now with the Stormers and the Boks now. I played a few years at hooker in France.
“In my 16 years as a professional, I’ve played more years at hooker than flank. So, I am actually more experienced at hooker than as a flanker.
“I will approach it as a normal game. As I said, throwing in is such a small part of the whole game and we have been training hard. Hopefully, I can bring that into the game.”
It has been an incredible year for Fourie, who after helping the Stormers win the Vodacom United Rugby Championship became the oldest Springbok debutant in July.
He was this week backed by coach Jacques Nienaber to take the role vacated by the retired Schalk Brits.
“I am excited but I think there is a bit of pressure as well to keep my game up and keep doing what I am doing,” said Fourie.
“To be honest, when I came back last year, I never thought I would be sitting here with a Springbok on my chest. I am very grateful in that regard.
“Now it’s about taking this next game and performing well, staying in the mix. Hopefully, I can be Deon Fourie and not Schalk Brits-lite.”
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Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
