VIDEO: Fourie - 'It feels like my first cap'

SPOTLIGHT: Returning Stormer Deon Fourie opens up on his recovery journey after an eight-month absence due to a knee injury ahead of his side’s United Rugby Championship clash against the Lions.

Fourie, who made his Springbok debut at the age of 35 and was the on-field captain in the triumphant 2023 World Cup Final, will captain the Stormers once more in his return match on Saturday.

The dynamic loose forward shared his rehabilitation journey and seemed in great spirits to be back.

“It was a long journey with lots of ups and downs,” Fourie said.

He added: “I’ve never been so long out of the game, my longest was three months and this time it was eight months.

“It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, rehab and pain, but thanks to all the medical staff that pushed me through.

“I’m so happy to be back, it’s never easy watching from the side, all the emotions are there.

“The knee feels great and hopefully it can hold up tomorrow [Saturday].”

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The Stormers veteran admitted he experienced different emotions coming back after such along injury lay-off and hope that the match will be like ‘riding a bicycle’ as he has proven from previous setbacks that he can pick up right where he left off.

“I must be honest, I told the guys it feels like my first cap,” Fourie told @rugby365com.

“I’m not usually a guy that stresses before games, I’m always chilled.

“When I woke up on Monday I started getting the jitters because it’s been so long that I haven’t played.

“I’ll see how it goes tomorrow [Saturday], hopefully it’s like riding a bicycle.

“Definitely there will be some errors, sorry Dobbo [John Dobson] in advance but it’s just getting back in there.

“Once the adrenaline starts pumping hopefully it will go well.

“The contact [in a match] is not the same but I’ve been around the block for quite a few years so hopefully that will help.”

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On captaincy Fourie won’t change a thing in his approach towards leading a side and will look to push for as many minutes on the pitch as possible.

“My thing was always to lead by example every time I captain or when I play.

“When Dobbo told me on Monday [about the captaincy] ,I told him thanks.

“It’s a great honour coming back after eight months and captain your side on your first game back.

“It gives you a lot of confidence from the coaching staff side so for me it’s always just to show the guys through the way I play.

“I don’t think the lungs will keep up for 80 minutes but hopefully I can make a big impact in the minutes I play tomorrow.”