Deon Fourie has urged his Stormers teammates to savour every second of Friday night’s historic meeting with the All Blacks, where many of them will face the haka for the first and possibly last time.
The clash at Cape Town Stadium opens the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour and marks the first time in half a century that the Stormers have the opportunity to take on New Zealand. Western Province upset the All Blacks 12-11 in 1976.
For Fourie, who faced the All Blacks in the 2023 World Cup final, the significance of the occasion extends far beyond the result.
“It’s a massive occasion. I was fortunate enough to play one game against the All Blacks, but probably 80 or 90% of these guys won’t get that opportunity again.
“If you don’t play for the Springboks, you’ll never face the haka or play against the All Blacks. So what a massive occasion. Fifty years on, we get the opportunity again, as a union and as a club, to play against a Test side.”
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The 39-year-old loose forward admitted he has been counting down to the fixture ever since it was announced, particularly after his recent injury battle.
“To represent your union and your club – a club that’s very dear to my heart and where I’ve spent almost my entire career – against a Test side like the All Blacks is a massive occasion.
“Like I said, 80 or 90% of these guys probably won’t get another opportunity to play against the All Blacks or face the haka. That’s something every little boy dreams about when he starts playing rugby and watches the Springboks take on the All Blacks. Most of these guys will probably get their only opportunity to experience that.”
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Fourie has spent the past few months recovering from knee surgery and says he is ready if selected.
“I’m 10 or 11 weeks after the operation. Fitness-wise, I’ll probably only know if I play on Friday, but I’m definitely ready to go.”
The veteran said his previous experience against the All Blacks passed in a blur.
“The coaches picked my brain this morning. I can’t really remember much of those 77 minutes because it went by so quickly, but they’re great memories.”
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule
Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images
The post Brannas: This chance won’t come again appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Deon Fourie has urged his Stormers teammates to savour every second of Friday night’s historic meeting with the All Blacks, where many of them will face the haka for the first and possibly last time.
The post Brannas: This chance won’t come again appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
