Even Fourie will have to prove himself
SO tight are the timelines in his recuperation that Fourie du Preez concedes he may have to play himself into form during the Rugby World Cup (RWC).
A teammate at Suntory Goliath recently fell on him, jarring his knee and his state of mind.
“Mentally it was a huge setback. It just reminded me that you can plan things as well as you want, life will throw you curve balls,” said Du Preez.
“Injuries get tougher to handle in your head but easier physically. You get that question whether it isn’t time to stop.
“The concern now is when I get the knee to 100%, will I have enough time to get rugby fitness and readiness. I will figure out. Hopefully I will be ready for the two tests against Argentina.”
He added: “There will be parts of my game that won’t be ready. I have to find it during the RWC. I have to, I don’t have a choice. I’ll give my best and if it isn’t good enough so be it.”
It is easier for the experienced Du Preez to step away than it is for others. Some of the Boks’ most celebrated victories over the last decade have been with him at the cutting edge.
“I measure myself by my own standards. Most of the time when I come off the field I know whether I was good or bad. I don’t care about what the people say but there are a few people I listen to,” said the 33-year-old.
“I don’t feel I have to prove myself. There is the expectation that you have to and that’s right. If I’m not at the level I think I should be, I can’t continue. I put a lot of pressure on myself and it is a good challenge.”
The former Bulls linchpin isn’t impervious to the external pressure, especially in an age where far-flung opinion is so pervasive.
“Over the last four years, there has been criticism against the older players — that they keep out the younger players.
“In my case, I’ve only played eight of the last 40 tests. There will be more opportunity now.
“I’ll be the first guy who hopes they take their chance. If they don’t, I’ll feel that there is even more pressure on me to get fit.”
Du Preez feels duty-bound to keep trying. “I came back because the coach [Heyneke Meyer] felt I could make a difference,” he said. “Who am I to say I can’t? Also, it is quite a big deal for my kids that I’m involved with the Boks.”
Playing in Japan has served a dual purpose. “Off the field it gave me a fresh perspective. I’ve been very privileged to see how my kids [five and three] grow up. In Japan there is little that diverts your attention from your family. Through that I rekindled my love for the game.”
As far as the World Cup is concerned, Du Preez believes the Boks can learn from their last two campaigns.
“Sometimes the management placed pressure on players because they are feeling pressure. Also, stick to what works for you and on the day you have to adapt. Especially in the knockouts, because of conditions, the referee and the opposition.”
He will hang up his boots in January and is yet to decide on a clear course of action.
“We will settle in Pretoria,” he said, perhaps pointedly. “I’ve been offered a few things and said ‘no’ to one or two.
“Coaching is an option if it is with the right people in the right place. I have some options to consult but the most likely scenario is that I will take time off and decide what I want to do.
“I’ve never had ambitions of becoming a head coach but wherever I am, I would want to be in a position to influence big changes,” he explained.
Injuries get tougher to handle in your head but easier physically It is quite a big deal for my kids that I’m involved with the Boks