Du Preez available, if Boks need him
Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez has committed himself to seeing out his contract with Japanese champions Suntory Sungoliath but he has also declared himself available for Test duty with the Springboks.
Du Preez joined Suntory Sungoliath following the World Cup in New Zealand last year and helped the club to win the Japanese championship recently.
Following Heyneke Meyer’s announcement as new Springbok coach, media speculation in South Africa has intensified that Du Preez will return to his native South Africa to play in the June Test Series against England.
Suntory Sungoliath has indicated they would not stand in Du Preez’s way should he wish to return to South Africa to play for the Springboks
Former Suntory GM and current Japan head coach Eddie Jones said: “I know that if Heyneke needs him, he will find his support invaluable and we at Suntory have no intention of standing in the way of Fourie assisting his national coach during the forthcoming series.”
Du Preez said it would be an honour to play for the Springboks again if his services are needed in a crisis, and explained that he would be happy to work with the younger players as a mentor but added that he believes players based in South Africa should have the inside track.
“However, I believe South African-based players should receive preference in the national set-up,” said Du Preez.
“I will always be available to play for the Springboks, but I’m well aware that we have a wealth of talented scrumhalves in South Africa, particularly someone like Francois Hougaard, whose time has now come to establish himself as the number one scrumhalf. It’s time for the next generation to step up, but I’d be happy to help if the coach calls on me,” he explained.
This is markedly different to his fellow Springbok star Jaque Fourie who has declared himself unavailable for the national team while under contract with his Japanese club Kobe Steelers.
Du Preez said that after a long and succesul career he would be happy to use his vast experience to the benefit of the Springboks, but added that there is no chance of him cutting his time with Suntory short.
“I have been extremely blessed to have played during an era which saw the Springboks win the Rugby World Cup (2007), two Tri-Nations tournaments (2004 and 2009) and beat the British & Irish Lions (2009).
“Furthermore I have won the Super 14 title and the Currie Cup with the Bulls on three occasions each, and I was fortunate enough to play for the Baby Boks when we won the Under-21 World Cup in 2002,” he said.
“I’d be happy to share my experience with the next generation of South African rugby talent and I would like to thank Suntory for granting permission to do so. That said, my contract with Suntory ends in March 2013 and I intend to show the club the same commitment I did to the Bulls and the Boks throughout my career,” he said.
