A possibility of reopening battle wounds won’t worry Deon Fourie if it means he becomes the oldest Springbok to make his Test debut on Saturday.
The 35-year-old Fourie is one of four uncapped replacements named by Jacques Nienaber in a radically overhauled matchday 23 for a potential series decider against Wales in Bloemfontein.
Post-match black eyes, multiple cuts and subsequent stitches in 2022 testified to the standout heroics from Fourie for the Stormers in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship-winning season, with his form earning him a first Bok call-up.
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Asked by reporters on Tuesday whether he is willing to run the same gauntlet for the Boks, the veteran warhorse joked: “I think I’ll have to bleed more for the Springboks.”
Fourie, who goes by the nickname Brannas, added: “To be honest, seven years ago when I went overseas I put that [playing for the Boks] on the back burner, as playing overseas at that stage made you ineligible to be picked in the Bok squad.
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“Then, in the first game back in the URC, I broke my cheekbone so everything didn’t start well, but luckily everything picked up from there.
“My family, they’re excited [for Saturday], and my mom is especially emotional and she’ll be here with my wife and two kids coming up this weekend, so it’ll be nice to share that moment with them.
“It’s overwhelming and a great honour; it’s every young player’s dream growing up to want to wear the Springbok jersey.
“I’m lucky to be here after such a long time. It’s special, it’ll just be how I handle the emotions while still focus on the game.”
Asked what inspired him to not give up on a chance to represent his country, the seasoned campaigner replied: “Sometimes after training, I do feel like I want to throw in the towel! But I think the energy in the team keeps you in line.
“I also don’t think it’s motivation but more what I can add to a team, like I’ve added to the Stormers, and what I want to add to the Boks now. That’s motivational, the value that I bring for whatever team I play for.
“And, if it’s your dream, you can never give up hope or stop believing.”
Nienaber has backed Fourie to cover for fit-again Pieter-Steph du Toit, rookie No 8 Evan Roos and openside flank Marcell Coetzee – who will make his first appearance for the Boks since 2019 – in an untested back row.
“Pieter-Steph will calm the nerves, Marcell will know what it’s all about at international level and feed that experience into Evan – and then Deon to come on and add something extra,” the Bok coach said.
Nienaber, who worked with the wily ball hawk at the Stormers, added: “We come a long way – the last time I called him Deon was in 2007, and since then it’s been Brannas! I’m excited for him.”
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