Springbok scrum coach Daan Human believes the experienced Deon Fourie is ideally suited to high-pressure Tests against the All Blacks. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.
Recalled to the Bok squad after an impressive performance for the Stormers against the All Blacks in the opening match of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, the veteran openside flank was selected on the bench as a hooker for the second Test in Cape Town. However, he ended up starting after coach Rassie Erasmus swapped his starting and replacement front rows shortly before kick-off.
At 39 years and 338 days old, Fourie became the oldest Springbok when he ran out at Cape Town Stadium.
It was his first appearance in the green and gold since the 2023 World Cup final against the All Blacks in Paris, when he played 77 minutes off the bench at hooker.
Fourie got 35 minutes in the Boks’ 33-26 win in Cape Town before making way for Malcolm Marx.
“He was awesome. I thought he brought so much to the team,” Erasmus said afterwards.
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Fourie, who turns 40 on 25 September, has again been named on the bench as a hooker for Saturday’s third Test at FNB Stadium.
Human believes Fourie’s versatility and experience make him particularly valuable in the intensity of a Test series against the All Blacks.
“The thing about him is, although he hasn’t played a lot of Test matches in his life [14], he’s not 40 yet, he’s 39. I’m just saying, there’s still a long way to go!” Human told the media on Tuesday with a laugh.
“But anyway, I think in these Test matches we need to have a lot of experience, which he has.
“He played from a very young age at hooker and flank. So he’s able to handle these kinds of situations, like he did in the World Cup final for us.
“He’s on form, he’s a big, big competitor and he’s one of the strongest scrummagers in South Africa.
“That’s how highly I rate him. Otherwise I would never have put up my hand to say, ‘Listen, we should pick this guy.’”
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Human was also excited about playing in front of a massive crowd at the 94,000-capacity FNB Stadium, with 84,000 tickets having reportedly been sold by Monday.
“I think it will be wonderful for South Africa, for all the South African support that we have at the moment.
“Obviously, we don’t want to disappoint them because they’re really standing behind us, and we need to give it back to them.
“I actually thought on my way down here, what is that country in the soccer World Cup that shouts, ‘Row! Row!’? [Norway.] I would actually love [the Bok fans] to say, “Scrum! Scrum!”’
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Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images
