Johan Goosen has rediscovered his passion for the Springboks and is delighted to be back in the green and gold, even if it is for the South Africa A side.
Goosen has been named in a halfback pairing with Herschel Jantjies in an SA A team that features 14 capped Springboks for a clash against Munster on Thursday.
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“It doesn’t matter in what form of green and gold one plays in,” said Goosen, who won the last of his 13 Test caps six years ago on 26 November 2016 against Wales in Cardiff.
“It could be the SA Schools team or SA ‘A’ team, it’s always an honour to play for this badge. Hopefully, we have a good game on Thursday and make the country proud.”
The 30-year-old playmaker returned to South Africa with the Vodacom Bulls last year, but suffered a knee injury which kept him out of the end-of-year tour in 2021.
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“I was out for the last 11 or 12 months with a knee injury and it was challenging for me both mentally and physically,” said Goosen.
“But mentally I’m now in a good place and my mindset is right. I have a passion for the Springboks and playing for the team, but I also understand that things are not necessarily going to come right in one game. That said I’m very happy to be here, and that is the most important thing to me.”
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) November 7, 2022
“It’s going to be a big match against Munster, and the first 20 minutes will be tight, so it will be important to stay in the fight, and hopefully we’ll be able to see the young players express themselves,” Goosen added.
“The Vodacom Bulls played against them a few weeks ago in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, so some of us have had a taste of what to expect from them in this match.”
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Photo: Getty Images
