Deon Fourie is excited to play the Stormers’ first home match of the season in the iconic black kit, the 40-year-old saying he’s recharged and ready to tackle the Sharks.
JP Pietersen’s Sharks head to Cape Town Stadium on Saturday unbeaten and top of the URC log after bonus-point victories over the Ospreys and Leinster, while the Stormers return following a win against Connacht before defeat in Edinburgh.
John Dobson plans to rejig his lineup for the round-three clash with the inclusion of Springboks like Fourie, who expects a strong contest against a Sharks side riding high.
On Monday, Fourie said it was “good to be back” in Cape Town since his Bok recall for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in early August.
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“It was quite a long time flying around the world … So, ja, I feel recharged,” the grizzled campaigner told reporters.
With Siya Kolisi and Paul de Villiers also in contention at openside flank, Fourie is happy to play any position – he started at hooker against the All Blacks.
“Wherever the team needs me, where there’s a gap to fill – I’ll play hooker, flank or tighthead prop,” he added. “Then it’s up to the coaches to make the tough decisions.”
Fourie believes the Stormers’ Boks benefited from having last week off, but expects the coaches to be careful not to throw too many returning players straight into the derby.
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The veteran forward acknowledged the Sharks may have greater cohesion, as well as back-row balance built on game time and the personnel to raise their intensity.
Noting a potential high-quality scrum battle between Wilco Louw and Ox Nché, Fourie said the Stormers must man up in the tight battles.
“They’ve got good players who can get them on the front foot, so physicality-wise, we must be up there. In any derby, it’s all about that physicality from the get-go.”
He also praised Eben Etzebeth’s impact off the bench against Leinster, saying: “Amazing what you achieve when you get older! The old Eben is back.”
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Predicting another near sell-out derby encounter, Fourie sees it as a case of “life coming full circle” after missing the original ‘Men in Black’ era when he started his career.
“There was a lot of hype around the jersey when it was announced. It brings back a lot of history.
“It’s going to be weird playing in black jerseys against the Sharks and them playing in white jerseys. Hopefully the crowd just shouts for the right black jerseys.”
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
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Deon Fourie is excited to play the Stormers’ first home match of the season in the iconic black kit, the 40-year-old saying he’s recharged and ready to tackle the Sharks.
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