Fourie back after strong persuasion

CENTRE Jaque Fourie has come out of one of the shortest retirements in rugby history by making himself available for the Springboks over the coming months.

In November last year, Fourie announced that he was quitting international rugby, much to the surprise of Bok coach Heyneke Meyer. But he has done a speedy about-turn after months of pressure from Meyer to reconsider.

Outgoing Stormers coach Allister Coetzee, who will coach Fourie at Japanese club Kobelco Steel later this year, confirmed the news. “The club have decided Jaque Fourie will be available should the Boks require his services, and he does want to play test rugby again,” Coetzee said.

But the new Kobe coach also had bad news. Lock Andries Bekker, who was keen to rekindle his Bok career, has been blocked by the club from playing test rugby while under contract.

Meyer had a heart-to-heart with Bekker earlier this month and the giant lock expressed his desire to add to his 29-test caps this season.

“As far as I know Andries won’t be available for Springbok selection for this year’s World Cup,” Coetzee said. “. . . it is a decision that the club has made and has been communicated to the powers that be in South African rugby.”

Coetzee did not elaborate about why Kobe would not free Bekker to play test rugby again.

But Bekker has chronic back problems that need constant management and, considering the large salary he collects in Japan, the club obviously want to protect their investment.

Fourie’s availability does solve one problematic position for Meyer. Outside centres of Fourie’s calibre and experience (72 test caps) are not easily found.

The veteran will have to prove his fitness and ability all over again though, as his last appearances in a Bok jersey, on the 2013 northern hemisphere tour, were below his usual high standard.

Coetzee, who coached Fourie at the Stormers, believes he would like to see Stormers centre Damian de Allende in tandem with Jean de Villiers in the Bok midfield this year.

De Villiers has almost fully recovered from a serious knee injury and will probably play his first matches in less than a month.

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

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

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