Andries Bekker

Jaque Fourie

New Kobe Steelers’ coach Allister Coetzee has said that Springbok centre Jaque Fourie is available and keen to play for South Africa at the World Cup.

Fourie had previously announced his retirement from international rugby in November 2014 which came as a surprise to Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

Coetzee however, in his final Stormers press conference, said that Kobe Steelers’ centre Fourie is keen to play at the World Cup but Springbok lock Andries Bekker is not available.

According to Coetzee the Japanese club have made it clear to SARU that Bekker will not be an option for the Boks.

“As far as I know Andries won’t be available for Springbok selection for this year’s World Cup.

“I can tell you now that it is a decision that the club has made and has been communicated to the powers that be in South African rugby,” he said.

Although Fourie has retired from Test rugby, Coetzee said that he is keen to feature at his fourth World Cup, and has the blessing of the club should he be picked.

“The club have decided that Jaque Fourie will be available should they require his services, and he does want to,” he said.

With Jean de Villiers still returning from injury and Frans Steyn unavailable for selection Meyer is lacking experience in the midfield. Fourie’s inclusion would definitely be a boost.

The outgoing Stormers coach said he would like to see a Bok centre combination of De Allende at 12 and Jean de Villiers at 13, and added that captain De Villiers would be well-suited for the outside centre berth given his defensive capabilities.

“Damian has been outstanding, and Damian with the experience and head next to him of Jean de Villiers will be even better.

“Jean understand 12 and 13, and he is one of the better defending centres as a 13, he is almost as good as Jaque Fourie.

“He is a clever defender, sometimes you have got to distinguish between a clever defender and a great tackler. Some people are brutal in tackling and others read and are good defenders.

“If you ask me about playing Damian at inside centre and Jean at outside centre I won’t have a problem with that,” he said.

He does not believe that De Villiers will have a problem playing at outside centre, despite the fact that he will be further from the action as captain.

“If it is for the best of the team obviously he will move to outside centre, Jean will never, not in my experience of him, dictate where he wants to play,” said Coetzee.

Coetzee believes the Springboks are well-covered in the midfield for the World Cup, with the likes of De Allende and Jan Serfontein strong options at inside centre, alongside the experience of De Villiers and Fourie.

“That is not a bad thing for South African rugby and our World Cup aspirations, because you have got Jan who is also a good 12, you have got Jaque Fourie who is now available, we should be fine in that department,” he added.

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