Brüssow has 'unfinished business'

For most it is just a fading, distant memory. For Heinrich Brüssow South Africa's early exit from the 2011 World Cup has become a driving force.

Brüssow, who will make his comeback to the Test arena against New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday, is determined to play in one more World Cup.

Speaking to the media, after being named in the Springbok team for the first time in four years, Brüssow admitted he has a feelings of "unfinished business".

While for most the lasting memories of South Africa's 9-11 loss to Australia in the World Cup quarterfinal in Wellington, will always be New Zealand referee Bruce Lawrence's performance – or rather non-performance.

However, Brüssow – who was eliminated from the game when an illegal Australian clean-out at a ruck fractured his ribs – has memories of what could have been.

"It was sad going out that way," Brüssow said, when asked about his long absence from the Bok fold.

"We had some good years [between 2007 and 2001] and we also beat the All Blacks that year [2011].

"We had a good team and a good plan – then losing in the quarterfinal was sad.

"I said to myself it would be great to get back [into the Bok squad], get another chance to go to the World Cup."

The Bok openside flank said they are determined to make amends for what happened four years ago.

"We have a chance to prove ourselves four years later."

Brüssow, who made it very clear there was never any bad blood between him and Bok coach Heyneke Meyer, said it is always great to back in the Springbok set-up.

"Getting a chance against the All Blacks is going to be amazing and I'm looking forward to it," he said of his comeback Test, after a four-year absence.

He felt he will be a better, more complete player at Ellis Park on Saturday – than what he was in 2011.

"I certainly picked up a lot of experience in the intervening years," the flank said, adding: "I now make better decisions, choose my ricks better and I would say I'm a better player and more skilful."

He spoke of having worked on "technical stuff" in his game, because the laws have changed and players should always adapt to the laws.

"I needed a new experience and I moved to Japan, where I saw some different things. I feel I have developed as a player.

"The big difference was the way they play in Japan, the pace of the game is faster.

"I had to adapt my game and got used to a faster game, where you have to make better decisions because you have less time."

He said he always remained hopeful of a Bok return – even when other players leapfrogged him into the national team selection frame.

"I knew that you can't keep a player out if he keeps performing – there is always a chance for any player."

He dismissed the notion that his non-selection of the past four years had anything to do with a stand-off between him and Bok coach Heyneke Meyer.

"I had a good relationship with the coach," Brüssow said, adding: "I always knew what the situation was and that kept me positive.

"I kept believing and worked hard. There were times when I was close to being selected, but ten there was an injury or something that got in my way."

he spoke of the long road back, the ups-and-downs, but always remained positive.

While he sat out a large part of the Super Rugby season with a fractured arm and Saturday's Test at Ellis Park is his first game in months, he felt a lack of match fitness will not be an issue.

"I haven't played for a while, so there might be some doubt about my lack of game time.

"However, I am 29 and I have played a few games – I know now what to do.

"I think I have played some of my best games in the past after coming back from injury and with no game time. My body is fresh and there are no excuses."

He is also looking forward to going head-to-head with the world's foremost openside flank – All Black captain Richie McCaw.

"McCaw speaks for himself – everybody knows what type of player he is. All their loose forwards – [Liam] Messam, [Kieran] Read and [Jerome] Kaino – are all quality players.

"They are the best team in the world and it is a big challenge for us. If you want to be the best in the world you have to beat the best and we are looking forward to it."

Brüssow said he could not ask for a better game for a comeback than playing the All Blacks at a sold-out Ellis Park.

"As a team we want to measure ourselves against the best, especially in a World Cup year."

Brüssow has the distinction of having never lost against New Zealand in four previous Tests.

However, he ascribed it to the quality of the teams he played in, rather than his own ability.

He said it would the same collective, cohesive effort on Saturday to beat the world's top-ranked team.

"What made us successful was that all the players were switched on 100 percent.

"They are the No.1 side in the world and have threats all over the park, so we have to really pitch up.

"Each set piece will be important, the scrums and line-outs. They have really improved in the line-outs, so we will have to be focussed there.

"We will have to keep the ball a bit more and use the opportunities to score tries or get points on the board. Defensively we have to pitch up."

By Jan de Koning in Johannesburg

@King365ed

@rugby365com