Deon Fourie during Springbok training. Photo: SA Rugby website
Deon Fourie: Is the Springbok stalwart World Cup bound?
Deon Fourie’s Springbok fairytale could include another remarkable chapter if the veteran forward earns World Cup selection.
Deon Fourie during Springbok training. Photo: SA Rugby website
When Deon Fourie returned to the Stormers in 2021, he openly admitted that earning Springbok selection was the furthest thing from his mind. However, the 36-year-old has aged like fine wine, with the veteran flanker proving to be one of the most influential players for the Stormers over two unforgettable URC seasons.
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As a result, the popular flank was called up to the Springbok squad last year, making his debut against Wales in July, while he has featured as a substitute in five more Test matches since then.
He will now earn his first start against Argentina this weekend, and what a story it will be for the oldest-ever Springbok debutant to book his place among the France-bound squad heading to the World Cup.
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The versatile forward said he would give everything to play his way into the Boks’ 33-man World Cup squad, which will be announced on Tuesday, 8 August, and added being in the squad for the extravaganza in France in any capacity would be an honour.
“If you had told me a few years ago I would have had the No 6 jersey on my back I would have laughed,” said Fourie. “It’s a big number in South Africa, so hopefully I can do it justice.”
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Deon Fourie could have a key role to fulfil at the World Cup
Many have likened his role to that which Schalk Brits played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, but Fourie said, if afforded the opportunity, he would like to carve his own path.
“If I play my cards right, I’d fulfil that (Brits’) role anytime, but hopefully I won’t be seen as a Schalk Brits, rather Deon Fourie,” he said.
“When the Springboks won the RWC in 2019 I was still playing in the French second division, and I was on a train on the way back from a match. So, it would mean a lot if I could be there.”
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2023 FIXTURES:
RWC warm-up fixtures:
Saturday, 5 August – Springboks v Argentina (Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires)
Saturday, 19 August – Springboks vs Wales (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
Friday, 25 August – Springboks vs New Zealand (Twickenham, London)
RWC fixtures:
Sunday, 10 September – Springboks v Scotland (Stade Marseille, Marseille)
Sunday, 17 September – Springboks v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)
Saturday, 23 September – Springboks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)
Sunday, 1 October – Springboks v Tonga (Stade Marseille, Marseille)
Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarter-finals
Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals
Saturday, 28 October – Final
