Deon Fourie is not giving up on helping the Springboks’ bid to make Webb Ellis Cup history in Australia next year.
Having played what many thought was his last Test in the 2023 World Cup final, Fourie got a shock recall for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, and went on to play a key role for Rassie Erasmus’ men in their 3-1 series win.
Now, ‘Brannas’ hopes to be involved when the Boks begin the defence of their back-to-back crown on 3 October 2027 against Italy at the Adelaide Oval.
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“They’d been building for the last three years while I wasn’t involved, so I didn’t see myself getting back into the mix,” Fourie, who is recovering from a hamstring injury suffered last month, said on the Boks Unpacked X The Verdict podcast.
“But now you’re thinking again, maybe one more year. We’ll see. Ja, why not? I’ll say I’ll try.
“My contract [with the Stormers] ends in June, July next year. So if Dobbo [Stormers director of rugby John Dobson] watches this, I’ll probably have to get a phone call.”
Fourie, who celebrated his 40th on 25 September, backed up the world’s best No 2 Malcolm Marx while still an option in the back row.
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“If Siya [Kolisi] hadn’t got injured, I don’t know if I would have got the call. So there was a bit of luck going into that,” Fourie added.
“The Stormers were on their way on the Monday on a trip to Jacobsbaai, and a few of the okes went on the Sunday already … So there were a few Stormers sitting on my porch having a few beers, and then I got the message and I was like, what?
“Rassie asked if I really wanted to come, saying if I didn’t want to, he would understand. Evan [Roos] was sitting next to men and I told him, ‘who would say no?’”
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Fourie remains a fierce competitor in the scrum, defence and at the breakdown, competing with men almost half his age.
“I know I can’t get stronger or quicker, so for me it’s just about maintaining my physicality and being as fit as I can be.
“Every morning when I get up, I’m looking forward to going to training, having a chat with the okes and helping the coaches make plans, being that guy almost in the middle between the coaches and the players.”
Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images
The post ‘Why not?’ Brannas on another World Cup appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Deon Fourie is not giving up on helping the Springboks’ bid to make Webb Ellis Cup history in Australia next year.
The post ‘Why not?’ Brannas on another World Cup appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
