Springbok legend Fourie du Preez believes Faf de Klerk’s experience would have been invaluable on South Africa’s tour of New Zealand.
The Boks departed to the Land of the Long White Cloud on Tuesday with three scrumhalves – Grant Williams, Cobus Reinach and Morne van den Berg – while De Klerk remains on standby in case of injury.
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Du Preez told News24 that De Klerk knows what it takes to win in New Zealand, pointing to his starring role in the Springboks’ famous 36-34 victory in Wellington in 2018. He also highlighted the halfback’s settled partnership with Handré Pollard as a major asset.
“I personally would’ve loved for Faf to be in the mix,” the 76-Test veteran said.
“He’s started two World Cup finals and won them, along with Handre at flyhalf, they’ve formed a great combination.”
While Du Preez would have preferred De Klerk in the matchday squad, he is encouraged by the form of Williams, who has been a standout this season and is the only one of the touring trio with prior experience in New Zealand. Williams came off the bench in the Boks’ 35-20 defeat to the All Blacks at Mount Smart Stadium in 2023.
“Grant, though, has been one of the most exciting halfbacks I’ve seen in a long time, but I’d personally play him in the last 30 to 35 minutes,” Du Preez explained.
“He can definitely bring pace and quickness to the game, but Faf and Grant are a great combination as scrumhalves.”
Du Preez believes Williams is deserving of his opportunities, but feels the Boks would benefit from pairing De Klerk’s experience with Williams’ impact role off the bench.
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The Springboks head into the tour on a four-match winning streak against the All Blacks and will attempt to hand New Zealand their first loss at Eden Park in more than three decades.
Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
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Springbok great Fourie du Preez says Rassie Erasmus missed a trick by leaving Faf de Klerk out of the touring squad for the crunch Tests in New Zealand.
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