Springboks

Schalk Brits of the Springboks during the South African national men’s rugby team photograph and captains press conference at Southern Sun Pretoria on August 16, 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Springboks: My wildest dream has come true – Brits

Schalk Brits will become the second-oldest man to captain the Springboks when he leads them out against Argentina at Loftus on Saturday.

Springboks

Schalk Brits of the Springboks during the South African national men’s rugby team photograph and captains press conference at Southern Sun Pretoria on August 16, 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Veteran hooker Schalk Brits described being awarded the Springbok captaincy for the ‘friendly’ Test against Argentina as his wildest dream come true.

Brits will be leading out the Springboks against Los Pumas at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, in what is the South Africa’s last home game before the 2019 Rugby World Cupin Japan.

Brits honoured to lead the Springboks

“To lead my country is one dream that has come true for me and it’s going to be amazing to lead out this group of players representing our country and the Springboks,” a beaming Brits told the media at the team hotel in Pretoria on Friday.

“For me, being part of the Springboks is such a huge honour. I’ve been involved with the Springboks since 2008 and only played 12 Test matches, but every time I get selected, or even performing a supporting role, it’s an unbelievable honour.

“Siya (Kolisi) is still our captain and I am going to rely heavily on him and the other leaders in our team. From my perspective, we just want a complete team performance, and if we can get that right then I think we will be happy as a team.”

Brits was a stalwart for the Cape Town-based Stormers and then joined English club Saracens where he has attained almost cult-like status. He returned to South Africa after his contract in England ended and came out of retirement to join the Vodacom Bulls for the 2019 Vodacom Super Rugby campaign, after which he was called up to the Springboks.He had been set to join the Stormers but an administrative gaffe saw the Cape Franchise unable to honour their intention to sign the Bok hooker.

“Being back in the country and then part of the squad is unbelievable and I am really grateful, every day, for having a second chance,” said Brits.

The popular hooker was quick to dispel any notion that Saturday’s match will be about cementing places in Springboks’ Rugby World Cup squad, which will be announced on Monday, 26 August.

“From a performance point of view, we just want to put up a performance that our other team mates will be proud of. We have a specific plan and a process and if we follow that then hopefully we will be successful,” said Brits.

He added that Argentina will be very difficult opponent at Loftus despite make ten changes from the team that went down 46-13 in the final Rugby Championship match.

“At Saracens I played alongside some Argentina team mates and I can tell you they are a tough bunch, very proud and very hard to play against.

“They have made some changes and we know they will come very hard at us, so we will have to be prepared for that,” according to Brits.

Ntubeni to debut off the bench

Scarra Ntubeni is set to make his Springbok debut off the bench tomorrow, and Brits had a few word of encouragement for the Western Province hooker, whom he described as “a great rugby player and even a better person”.

“I’ve seen Scarra from a young age and although I’m very grey, he is getting more grey than me! It’s amazing to see a guy like that who have been in the trenches, had a lot of injuries and coming through the system,” said Brits.

“I’m backing him and he’s backing me up tomorrow. To learn everything in one week is tough but he is a clever player so I can’t wait to see him the Green and Gold and I hope he puts in a performance (when he gets onto the field) that is unbelievable.”

The Farewell Test against the Pumas starts at 17h05 and will be televised live on SuperSport 1.

Springbok records at Loftus

Played: 36; Won: 27; Lost: 9; Points for: 1 170; Points against: 712; Tries for: 138; Tries against: 72;

Average score: 33-20; Win %: 75%.

Most points in a Test match:31 by PC Montgomery (2t, 9c,1p) v Wales on 27 June, 1998.

Most tries in a Test match:3 by DM Gerber v South America Jaguars on 27 March, 1982; PWG Rossouw v Wales on 27 June, 1998 and BG Habana v Australia on 29 September, 2012.

Most conversions:9 by PC Montgomery v Wales on 27 June, 1998.

Most penalty goals: 6 by GR Bosch v France on 28 June, 1975 and by AJJ van Straaten v England on 17 June, 2000.

Most drop goals: 2 by M Steyn v Australia on 1 October, 2016.