Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is reported to have offered Fourie du Preez the Springbok captaincy for South Africa’s three match Test Series against England next month.
Meyer is said to have met with Du Preez earlier this week in order to offer him the captaincy on a short term basis earlier this week according to blog site Keo.
Du Preez was understood to have retired from playing international rugby by moving to Japan where he now plays for Suntory Goliath.
Meyer initially wanted Victor Matfield to come out of retirement but an IRB drug rule prevented this as a player may not play international rugby for six months after announcing his comeback.
Meyer coached Matfield and Du Preez at the Bulls and Meyer is known to have the highest respect for the pair.
The IRB rule is to prevent players suddenly returning to the game once illegal drugs are out of their system if they had announced their retirement.
SARU CEO Jurie Roux confirmed earlier this week that Matfield will not play but said he may be included in Bok Management in some way.
“We have discussed the option, but the International Rugby Board’s regulations counted against us,” Roux told Reuters.
“We would be keen to use Victor’s outstanding knowledge and have not ruled out the option of using it in some other way in the future.”
It is not yet known whether Du Preez has accepted the offer to take over the Springbok captaincy.
I don’t think this is the right choice.
@ 4man:
I was not to sure either, but apparently did FdP played a “hond uit ‘n bos” in Japan. I think HM is trying to get as close as possible team as the RWC together. Remember the Poms played a 6N together and they did very well.
I am very nervous about this test series – my one comforting thought is we have the best man in charge.
not sure what kind of form fourie is in at the moment. cant think that the league he played in will be anywhere near the standard of superrugby (although i might be mistaken on that count)
if it isnt as demanding as superrugby, it may prove to be a good thing (for fdupreez at least). a well rested fdupreez still has a lot to offer to the game in south africa.
Have also read Ruan Pienaar is also set to join up with the Boks – apparently this was been ‘confirmed’ by Mr Meyer. This is a good move I think lets hope Ruan can bring his top form into international level. The only thing that I feel he needs to work on is getting to the ruck that bit quicker so that the forwards don’t have to try hold onto the ball for a bit longer than necessary while waiting for scrummie to take the ball on from there, noticed this on watching highlights of Ulster’s loss to Leinster in the Heineken cup final, not sure why Pienaar seemed to be missing in action initially at some of the loose ball situations, in his defence it may have been if he was covering more than his fair share of the field in covering for defence etc.
If Ruan and Fourie are going to be in Bok squad where does this leave Hougie? Sounds like he has been doing well as game breaker this Super 15 but have also read comments questioning his basic skills at scrumhalf, what do you guys who have seen loads of the Super 15 think?
bullscot @ 5
it seems like hougaard is going to be utilised on the wing if early indications are correct … my initial thoughts (and that of a lot of other bloggers) were that he would start on the wing and later shift to 9. with the inclusion of ruan, i’m not so sure anymore!!
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