South Africa’s player of the year Fourie du Preez has revealed that he came close to retiring this year, but that the Springbok management’s handling of the players convinced him not to throw in the towel.

Sport24

The Bulls and Springbok scrumhalf, who was very unlucky not to be named the International Rugby Board’s Player of the year this year, narrowly losing out to All Black captain Richie McCaw in a decision that still defies any logic, told SuperRugby that while he rated his season as his best yet, it was almost one that never took place.

Du Preez will end off his season with a payday at the Barbarians game this weekend but will look back on a decision he took earlier in the year that all Springbok fans can truly be thankful for.

“I’ve really been happy with this season – it was definitely my best yet,” Du Preez summed up his own exploits for 2009, which included a Super 14 and Currie Cup trophy, a Lions and Tri-Nations victory and a starring role in all these at the highest level.

But Du Preez, who truly plays the game for the love of it, spoke openly about how he almost quit the sport earlier this year because he wasn’t enjoying the game. The pressure of being Bulls captain in 2008, the criticism that went with it and other factors took their toll on the scrumhalf. But in true Du Preez fashion, he picked himself up and responded the only way he knew how – on the field of play.

“I really gave a lot of thought to retiring at the end of this season,” Du Preez admitted, “I was planning for a season or two overseas and wanted to get out of Pretoria, out of my comfort zone.

“But the way things have gone made it difficult to contemplate quitting. The atmosphere that was set by the Springbok management was really wonderful. This Bok management is really some of the best ever and in that aspect I enjoy being part of the Springboks. They made it easier to make the decision.”

Du Preez hinted on the current tour that he had postponed his overseas ventures until after 2011 and that he and fellow Bull Morne Steyn could be the perfect halfback pairing for the World Cup, but that wasn’t always the case.