From Ibiza to Jozi, Brits’ Bok journey continues
A MONTH after calling time on his career and just weeks after playing his last game for Saracens, veteran hooker Schalk Brits is back in rugby – and in position to face a number of teammates and friends in Eddie Jones’ England team.
The 37-year-old, who spent 11 seasons with Saracens, watched the Boks beat England as a fan in the Ellis Park crowd last weekend only to be called up for the remaining two Tests – at the Free State Stadium on Saturday and at Newlands, his one-time home ground, next weekend.
“I was in Ibiza last week, before going to Joburg with some British friends, to watch the game. It was the first time I’d ever watched the Boks as a fan in the stands. And what a game,” Brits said yesterday.
“I had a few holiday plans for this week and next week, too, but those will have to wait now.”
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus, who worked with Brits at the Stormers several years ago, said the hooker would very much be in the selection mix this week and next Saturday in Cape Town. “He’ll definitely be considered for the matchday 23 in the next two games. The whole squad knows where they stand. We have to try a few things... and it’s important we learn from each other... Schalk is not here to fill a coaching role only, but to be considered (to play) at the right time,” Erasmus said.
Erasmus though said that Brits, with all his experience, would also fulfil a mentorship role.
“We wanted Bismarck (du Plessis) here, but that didn’t work out... but now the guys in the squad can learn from Schalk, rub shoulders with him; pick up things about the smaller aspects of hooker play. He’s played in different conditions and in different countries... just like Faf (de Klerk), Duane (Vermeulen) and Willie (le Roux). I know what Schalk can bring to the squad. We’ll reassess our situation after the Cape Town Test, but Schalk is fit and strong, like the other overseas guys who came in, having last played a game just over two weeks ago. The more guys we can get into our squad who’ve been there and done it, the better,” he said.
Brits will, of course, also be able to pass on some inside knowledge of the England players.
Erasmus also confirmed yesterday that De Klerk and Le Roux had been secured to play for the Boks in the Rugby Championship later this year. There is however some doubt around the availability of Vermeulen.
“Faf and Willie will be available later this year, but not Duane ... he might only be able to play certain games,” said Erasmus.
It also appears Erasmus will continue to try to get Montpellier to release Frans Steyn and Du Plessis for action.
Despite going 1-0 up in the three-match series last weekend, and not having any serious injury concerns, Erasmus has admitted he will tinker with his lineup for the second Test against England.
“We’ll take things one week at a time, but there will be one, two, or three subtle changes; nothing major,” said Erasmus.
“We have to see how certain guys perform.” BLITZBOK coach Neil Powell was humility personified after his team had snuck in through the backdoor to secure both the Paris Sevens and the World Series titles for the second year in a row.
Powell, himself had plenty to be proud of after being named World Series Coach of the Year at a function in Paris on Sunday night, while one of his star players, Dylan Sage, was named in the World Sevens Dream team.
In another accolade for Powell’s charges, Dewald Human was named in the Paris Dream team. The 23-year-old was in exceptional form during the tournament and scored tries at vital moments, including in the final against England, often outfoxing defenders with his gliding, weaving runs and deceptive pace.
Human, who played for the Kings a few seasons ago and is a former South Africa Schools player, was also honoured with the player-of-the-final award.
“We were graced here today,” said Powell after his team’s monumental achievement, one that was only secured in the very last match of the final day of the final tournament of the eight-month long, 10-leg World Series.
“You have to feel for Fiji, who won five tournaments, only to come up short by two points in the end, but this is also a massive reward to our Springbok Sevens and SA Rugby Sevens Academy system,” Powell said. “There are so many people working so hard for this team and the squad here today rewarded all of them.”
“We do this for more than ourselves. The support from back home is incredible and we find support all over the world. We want to thank all.
“This is a massive credit to our system and we are all very proud to be part of it.”
The Blitzboks indeed defied the odds to edge out Fiji for the series title. The Pacific Islanders seemed to have the title sewn up going into the Paris Sevens, given that they had a seven-point cushion over SA.
But Fiji let it slip in the first quarter-final on Sunday when they lost to eventual silver medallists England. Fijians would have also been kicking themselves as they watched the Blitzboks labour through the tournament, in their worst form of the entire series.
The Blitzboks were not impressive on day one, which included a loss to Scotland, and they only made it into the semi-finals on Sunday after scoring a sudden-death try well into extra time in their quarter-final against Spain.
The Blitzboks were much better in defeating New Zealand in the semifinals and then exploded into life in the final to convincingly beat England.
• The Blitzboks qualified for 10 semifinals during the series. They won in Dubai and Paris, and were runners-up in Sydney, Hamilton and London. They won bronze in Cape Town, Vancouver and Hong Kong and placed fourth in Las Vegas and Singapore.