SARugbymag.co.za readers have emphatically picked Fourie du Preez as the preferred player from the 2009 series to boost the Springboks in their all-or-nothing clash with the British & Irish Lions on Saturday.

The Springboks are one win away from matching the legendary class of 2009 by following a World Cup title with a series victory over the British & Irish Lions.

ALSO READ: Pick one 2009 Bok for series decider

However, it has been far from as smooth as the 2009 series, with the 2021 edition set to go down to the wire.

The Springboks have also faced a couple of injury concerns, with scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and flank Pieter-Steph du Toit both ruled out of the decider.

SARugbymag.co.za ran a poll giving readers the opportunity to dip back into the 2009 series and collect one Bok ace to reinforce the team this week.

Readers had the option of getting a 23-year-old Beast Mtawarira back in the front row, or having Victor Matfield run the lineout. They could recall the tough Schalk Burger, hand Fourie du Preez the kicking responsibilities or unleash Bryan Habana to hunt down a couple of tries. There was also the option of getting a younger Frans Steyn in to deploy his big boot from the back.

However, it was Du Preez who was the clear favourite, earning over 50% of the votes. With De Klerk missing due to a soft-tissue injury sustained in the second Test, the Boks will be relying on Du Preez’s ingenuity.

The closest to Du Preez was Burger, with 18% of votes. The ferocious flank missed the opening Test of the 2009 series and was infamously banned after the second Test for an eye gouge.

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