Fourie du PreezSouth Africa have the potential to rival New Zealand as the top team in the world.

This is the candid assessment of World Cup-winning Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, after his telling contribution to his country’s record-breaking 73-13 victory over Argentina in Soweto at the weekend.

Du Preez, who played his first Test in nearly two years after being released by his Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath, scored one of the Boks’ nine tries.

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And having featured in the 2007 World Cup-winning squad alongside that included legends like John Smit and Victor Matfield, to name just a couple, Du Preez would know about the potential of the class of 2013.

“This team has frightening potential,” Du Preez told a media briefing after the Boks’ demolition job at Soccer City.

“I struggle to find the right words,” he told the media scrum, adding: “But any team with such outstanding forwards and exciting backs huge potential.”

He added that it was “great to be back”, but has unfortunately missed the trip to Mendoza for the return match this coming Saturday.

Du Preez, widely regarded as the best scrumhalf in the world before his departure to Japan, is not available for the overseas legs of the Rugby Championship. While his Japanese club, Suntory Sungoliath, released him for international duty, it is only for the three Tests in South Africa.

Despite his nearly two-year absence from the Test arena Du Preez showed he lost none of the skills that earned him the No.1 ranking among the world’s elite scrumhalves.

Du Preez, who replaced Ruan Pienaar in the 52nd minute of the Soweto Test, scored a try within 10 minutes after coming on and was credited with a ‘try assist’. He kicked just once in the nearly half-hour stay on the field, made 28 passes and had three runs.

That certainly silenced the critics who questioned Du Preez’s inclusion in the Bok squad, even though it is only for the home leg of the tournament.

The 63-Test veteran, who scored his 14th international try, at Soccer City, dismissed the notion that Japan’s Top League is making players ‘soft’ and will detract from their qualities if they return to the Test arena.

“People say the rugby there is weak, but nobody really ever sees it,” Du Preez told the media in Soweto.

“I went there [Japan] to escape the pressure and limelight, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,” the scrumhalf said.

“I’ve learnt a lot at my club,” he said of the Suntory outfit being coached by Eddie Jones – who was an assistant coach with the Boks when they won the 2007 World Cup in France.

“It was the best decision for my rugby and for me as a person.

“The pace against Argentina was a lot similar to the rugby in Japan.”

4 Responses to The Rugby Championship: Springboks have ‘Frightening potential’ – Fourie du Preez

  • 1

    What a marvelous difference Fourie du Preez’ crisp and sure service made on the weekend, such a pity that he’s not available for the whole Rugby Championship!

  • 2

    @ grootblousmile:
    SA reminded me of the Bulls a few years ago.

    Subdue the opposition with the big men for the first portion of the match, then let the tem run riot with quick front foot ball that alloows the forwards and backs to feed off one another.

    That du Preez made an immediate difference was clear for all to see, BUT let’s not forget that by and large the Pumas were broken by that stage.

    The challenge for SA now lies with keeping up this level of performance.

    FAR TOO MANY TIMES in the past, very good performances like this have been followed by utter mediocrity.

    Whether ths is cuased by plain “big head” syndrome, or fatigue or some other reason, only the side’s management will know.

    Let us also not forget the obvious, the All Blacks and even the Wallabies aren’t going to be as generous as this 2nd class Pumas side in allowing the SA side to dictate the terms of the game.

    I reckon that SA should win over in Argentina, not by as many, but it should be quite comfortable, but the AB’s both here and in the land of the long white cloud, as well as the Aussies over there are a different proposition.

    That said, well done SA on a thoroughly professional display of TOTAL RUGBY this past weekend.

    Entertaining and thrilling to watch.

  • 3

    2 @ Scrumdown:
    Yip, early days indeed… and the jury is still out.

    Waiting with baited breath to see what is dished up next.

  • 4

    It seems that Japan has really rejuvenated FdP’s career, reading what he has to say, and great to see him happy, and with his sublime form on the pitch.
    I just hope that his in/out appearances for the Boks don’t have a disruptive influence on the team, and that if the team does not do well, I hope that the blame is not put on the fact that he was not their for that match (however, I fear it will), because that would be very short sighted.
    From the way both teams played on Saturday, I don’t see why the Boks shouldn’t give the Puma’s a similar pummelling.

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