De Jongh shares Bok disappointment
EXCLUSIVE: Wasps centre Juan de Jongh felt hurt not to be included in the Springboks’ squad after an injury crisis in the centre position potentially gave him a route back into the setup.
However, Rassie Erasmus opted to draft Springboks Sevens stalwart and Western Province centre Ruhan Nel into the squad for the Springboks’ Rugby Championship match against Australia in Port Elizabeth.
“When Wasps came to me and said there is an opportunity to play here, I knew I had to close the door on the Springboks. When they announced that you don’t need 30-caps to be overseas and still play Springboks, actually opened my eyes to give it a go and work hard enough to be in the World Cup squad because I always wanted to be in that squad,” De Jongh said.
“Rassie has been in contact and was over here when he spoke to us and told us that if we are playing good rugby, they will have a look at you.
“With the injuries, I am a little disappointed that not the third, fourth, fifth or sixth option but at the end of the day, I told myself that I need to control the controllables and keep myself in shape,” he added.
Listen to what Juan de Jongh and Nizaam Carr has to say about their Springbok ambitions below:
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