GATESHEAD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Captain Fourie du Preez during the South African national rugby team announcement at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead on September 30, 2015 in Gateshead, England. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Du Preez: The Boks are still under pressure.
South Africa will play their final group game against the USA on Wednesday and captain Fourie du Preez reckons the pressure is still on the Boks.
GATESHEAD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Captain Fourie du Preez during the South African national rugby team announcement at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead on September 30, 2015 in Gateshead, England. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Springbok captain Fourie du Preez has admitted that his team is still under immense pressure as they prepare to face the USA in their final Rugby World Cup Pool B match at London’s Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.
The Springboks held their traditional captain’s run at the match venue on Tuesday afternoon, a mere three days after their last Test, on Saturday in Newcastle against Scotland.
Du Preez said that the team had always known about the short turn-around between their final two pool matches and had duly prepared for that, and that the match-23 will have to be ready for a tough match on Wednesday.
“After the match against Japan, we were under immense pressure, the worst I’ve ever experienced, and although the character of the team came through, we’re still under the same pressure,” said Du Preez.
“We knew we had to beat Samoa and Scotland. Now we’re facing the USA and if we don’t win, we’re on the plane home and out of the tournament.
“But we know what will work for us on the field and tomorrow we simply have to take that up a notch. There is still a lot of desperation and hope, but our only focus for now is on the encounter against the USA.”
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