Return of the king
7 Feb 2011
Fourie du Preez will be the Boks’ key player this year as they seek to defend the World Cup.
In his most revealing interview yet, Du Preez talks to SA Rugby magazine about why the Springboks struggled in 2010, his big-match temperament, who should replace him as Bok scrumhalf when he retires from international rugby, why he wants to play in Japan, and who he thinks should be the next Bok coach.
We also speak to Heyneke Meyer and Bryan Habana about what makes Du Preez the best scrumhalf in the world.
‘If he doesn’t play the Boks are in serious trouble and the Bulls wouldn’t be the side they have been in the past couple of years, says Meyer. ‘People point out that he is integral to their game plan, which is true. There isn’t a better box-kicking scrumhalf in world rugby. But that doesn’t take into account his full value.
‘As the link between the forwards and the backs he is the most influential player on the park. Your decision-making has to be so sharp there, especially at international level where space and time are at a premium. No player can match his decision-making under pressure.’
Also in the new issue, on sale this week:
– Bryan Habana needs creative players around him if he’s to start scoring tries at Test level again
– Francois Louw refuses to believe that his World Cup dream is over
– Local businessman Robert Gumede on why he’s invested in the Lions, transforming the game, and the players he’d like to bring to Joburg
– Stirling Mortlock on what the Rebels hope to achieve in their debut Super Rugby season, why Danny Cipriani will excel, and his desire to get back into the Wallabies squad
– Alcohol addiction and excessive partying cost kiwi referee Steve Walsh his job in 2008. SA Rugby magazine finds out how he turned his life around
– JP Pietersen is confident he can regain the form that made him one of the world’s best wingers in 2007
– While the Test nations up north are coming to terms with the new law interpretations, the club structures and mentality will forever contrast the philosophy down south
– It’s been just over a year since Gareth Thomas became the first openly gay professional rugby player. In this candid interview, the former Wales captain talks about his new life, changing perceptions, and being portrayed by Mickey Rourke in an upcoming Hollywood movie
– The Olympic Games will transform sevens rugby
– Referees must stop interpreting the laws and start applying them consistently
– The three Pacific Island rugby nations will never be able to compete with the world’s best
– Jacques Cronjé on his World Cup snub, maturing, and going head-to-head with Sébastien Chabal at Racing Métro
Click here to subscribe to the print or digital editions
PLUS: Get your GIANT 2011 fixtures poster FREE with this issue (Super Rugby, Vodacom Cup, Varsity Cup, Six Nations, Tri-Nations, Sevens World Series, Currie Cup and World Cup fixtures)
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603 Comments
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9 Feb 2011, 14:10 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-600: The mag is worth it – especially for the price of the digital issue!
For example, in this one there is a great interview with Francois Louw – which is something I have been waiting for, for ages – to hear his side of the story.
That kind of thing you cant get on the net I think.
I am a big fan of the guy and cant believe how he was treated in the 3 Nations. I hope he plays even better in S15 than he did last year (if possible) and is in the RWC squad.
I wish the Bok coaches had just tried the Stormers loose trio for that 1st 3 Nations game in Auckland…
they had dominated all NZ sides in S14 and it couldve worked. Then kept Yster Smith on the bench for the last 30 mins or so, and nowdays the Boks could also use Alberts.
Anyway – wishful thinking, we will never know. But dropping Louw was terrible. As bad as Vermeulen not getting a call up.
Spies and Kanko have had more than enough chances to prove they are not the best #8s.
Same with Daniels, Potgieter and Stegman at 6. All great players but for the Boks we need something more – and that Stormers loose trio is it! With Juan and Alberts rotating in the trio I think it will be awesome.
And of course Brussow if he is still so brilliant under the new laws.
9 Feb 2011, 15:01 pm
@BringItHomeBoks(bokfan1)-601: I’m with you on the Stormers Trio boet. Bad Luck for FLO, but he did seem to struggle with the combos we had on at the time. It’s a fine balancing act hey? Get one or two combo’s wrong and there’s something missing, and at that level that’s enough to set you back badly.
23 Feb 2011, 10:33 am
Round 1. FdP rated about a 5.5 – 6
Performed most tasks reasonably but was a tad under-done for conditioning. This was blindingly obvious when he constantly sprinted out of alignment on defense, from an already off-side position. His stamina and legal positioning will come with game time.
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