Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez has committed himself to seeing out his contract with Japanese champions, Suntory Sungoliath, but he has also declared himself available should he be needed for Test duty with the Springboks.
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Du Preez joined Suntory Sungoliath following the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011. He helped the club to win the Japanese championship recently.
Following Heyneke Meyer’s announcement as new Springbok coach, media speculation in South Africa has intensified that Du Preez will return to his native South Africa to play in the June Test Series against England.
Suntory Sungoliath has indicated they would not stand in Du Preez’s way should he wish to return to South Africa to play for the Springboks
Former Suntory GM and current Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones said: “I know that if Heyneke needs him, he will find his support invaluable and we at Suntory have no intention of standing in the way of Fourie assisting his national coach during the forthcoming series.”
Du Preez said it would be an honour to play for the Springboks again if his services are needed in a crisis and that he would be happy to work with the younger players as a mentor.
“However, I believe South African-based players should receive preference in the national set-up,” said Du Preez.
“I will always be available to play for the Springboks, but I’m well aware that we have a wealth of talented scrumhalves in South Africa, particularly someone like Francois Hougaard, whose time has now come to establish himself as the number one scrumhalf. It’s time for the next generation to step up, but I’d be happy to help if the coach calls on me.
“I have been extremely blessed to have played during an era which saw the Springboks win the Rugby World Cup (2007), two Tri-Nations tournaments (2004 and 2009) and beat the British & Irish Lions (2009).
“Furthermore I have won the Super 14 title and the Currie Cup with the Bulls on three occasions each, and I was fortunate enough to play for the Baby Boks when we won the Under 21 World Cup in 2002,” he said.
“I’d be happy to share my experience with the next generation of South African rugby talent and I would like to thank Suntory for granting permission to do so. That said, my contract with Suntory ends in March 2013 and I intend to show the club the same commitment I did to the Bulls and the Boks throughout my career.”
So, Fourie du Preez says it’s time for Hougie & Co…
Points for Committment… 30%?
If his answer was “I want it and I want it BADDDDDD !”… then I’d feel somewhat more comfortable in his committment stakes.
It really IS time for Hougie AND whomever else could cover the bench….
Fourie du Preez was the best ever at 9 in World Rugby.
Whoever disagrees go to wherever you want to go.I have enough people to agree.
Greats in World rugby acknowledged it, even Joost, so who are us to say no thanks to a Ferrari if it is available?
Sorry but FH did not impress me this year, the King is still FdP
Commitment , fark what would i , GBS or JFK do if we can make 8 million a year, i bet we would leave everyone at home and go for it.
@ superBul:
But what if your Ferrari is only firing on 6 cylinders? Is it not better to use your souped up Ford Cortina? Performance, road handling and comfort may not be in the same class as the Ferrari, but you will still get there pretty quickly.
FDP is not the same player he was a couple of years ago, but he is still a good player. However, FH must be given a chance to develop into the player we all know he can be. Remember, this is his first full season of playing 9 at this level. The last 2/3 years he played second fiddle to FDP.
read an interesting article on news24 by jjharmse regarding the victor matfield and fourie du preez issue. would love it if one of you can bring it here. would make for interesting discussions.
..
http://www.sport24.co.za/Columnists/JJHarmse/Victor-Fourie-put-Boks-first-20120510
3 @ Lion4ever:
4 @ Ashley:
I like the fact that Fourie du Preez is mature enough to want to give the SA local players like Hougie the starting spot. That is admirable and level-headed.
Regarding Fourie du Preez’ play and readyness for these upcoming Tests, I have my reservations.
Fourie du Preez was just sublime a number of years agao, but never reaaly the same after his shoulder injury and operations.
Heyneke Meyer wants Springbok players who are 1 000% committed to the Springbok rugby jersey, players who absolutely burn inside for the right and privilage to wear the jersey and who will fight their fingers to the bone to get a starting spot… this we know, he has reitterated that a lot lately in the last few months, and rightly so!
Now, however much I revere Fourie du Preez for what he has been and what he has done for the Bulls and Springboks… and I do like and respect the man tremendously, after all he’s a legend… but I do question his burning desire to put on a Bokke jersey once again. If he was burning inside to don that jersey, surely he would absolutely badly want that starting berth and not punt Hougie as a starter.
The fact that he now sees the bigger picture, is a manifestation that his desire to play for the Bokke has waned a bit, yet it is the right thing he has done. He is putting his country first and also showing Heyneke Meyer his undying loyalty and frank opinion at the same time.
I don’t blame Fourie, I commend him… at the same time I have to agree with him that his time has come and gone and that it is time for Hougie or the new era to step in and past.
It seems that FduP had a injury free season in Japan.
Now join a fit Fourie with the coach who made him, and the Ferrari will fire on all cylinders.
But i wont fight for him to play, i only states that he will still be better than most wanabee number 9,s
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