Fourie du Preez scores the winning try against Wales in the Rugby World Cup 2015 Quarterfinal

The Springbok mantra has been summed up by captain Fourie du Preez in one strong sentence – We didn’t come to the World Cup to lose in a semifinal.

Du Preez was speaking ahead of the Rugby World Cup showdown with the All Blacks at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday for a place in next week’s final, and showed the focus of the Springbok talisman as they head into what he calls “the biggest game of my career.”

Coming from a Rugby World Cup winner that is quite a statement but it also shows the challenge facing the Springboks against a rampant World Champion All Black side and what they will need to do when they get on the field.

The Springboks have looked more relaxed this week – perhaps because they know what to expect or know the All Blacks so well , but Du Preez contends it is still the same as in the previous 5 weeks before.

“The pressure is precisely the same as all the other weeks since we lost to Japan. We didn’t come to the World Cup to lose in a semifinal,” Du Preez said.

“We were happy to get through the quarterfinals, especially as we lost in 2011, it was very emotional to get through that but the pressure is still the same.”

Du Preez makes a fundamental difference to the Springboks when they play and has a remarkable record – considering New Zealand’s dominance in recent times – of 7 victories in 12 games against the All Blacks.

This, says assistant coach Johan van Graan, underlines his importance to the team.

“He has always had big games against them,” Van Graan said at the captain’s press conference on Friday.

“He is awesome in every game. He is composed under pressure, he has belief in himself and the ability to see things others don’t see. A talent can hit a target nobody else can hit but a genius can hit a target no-one else can see. And that is Fourie du Preez.”

Du Preez certainly is the heart and soul of the side at the moment, and is guiding them in the right direction. A quiet, thoughtful player who rarely talks, he knows how to guide his side forward and has an impeccable kicking game.

The Springboks somehow look a lot more dangerous when he is around as well. His kicking game is peerless in South Africa and his game management are his key elements. On Saturday Aaron Smith may be a lot more nippy and have an energy that few will match in world rugby, but Du Preez has that calmness and experience that make him a dangerous opponent.

And if he is determined to take the Springboks home, it will filter down to his teammates, and that – from a South African point of view – may be the best thing of all for the Springboks in a game that they are heavy underdogs for.

Fourie du Preez, captain and vital cog in the Springbok setup

The scrumhalf is not one to talk himself up or give any insight into what it takes to beat the All Blacks but he exuded a calm confidence on Friday when discussing the match.

“We’ll have 1 or 2 tweaks and sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn’t,” said the 33-year-old who came into the tournament struggling with injury but has quickly reinstated himself as a key cog in the Springbok machine.

“Hopefully we’ll get into a position where we can execute those plays.”

Several other players in the side have experience of beating their biggest rivals – even if they have been on the losing side a lot more often. Bryan Habana has won 8 but lost 14, while JP Pietersen has won 5 from 9 and Schalk Burger (5 from 15). They all respect but do not fear the All Blacks.

“In the times we’ve beaten them we probably created 7 opportunities and used all 7,” said Burger.

“On the flip side for the Springboks, their 10-12-13 combination is a callow collection.

Flyhalf Handré Pollard and centre Damian de Allende each have 1 win from their 3 All Black meetings while fellow centre Jessie Kriel has faced them once, and lost.

Du Preez, however, is certain the young trio will step up to the occasion and help South Africa extend their Rugby World Cup record against New Zealand to 3 wins from 4.

“All 3 of them are very confident players and all 3 are unbelievable talents,” he said.

“These guys have really stepped up and deserved to play in this game. I think they will embrace the pressure.”

Burger agreed. “I think we’ve got a nice balance in our team, where we’ve got a couple of old hands with thinning hair and then we’ve got a couple of youngsters and we draw from their energy and I think if we as the old guard do our job, all they have to worry about is playing rugby and doing what they’re good at.”

SuperSport & Sport24