Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that Deon Fourie can still play for the Springboks despite leaving the veteran out of the recent alignment camp in Cape Town.
Fourie was one of the notable names not on the list of 43 players invited to the first of three alignment camps to prepare for the 2024 season.
The 37-year-old, who became the oldest Bok debutant in 2022, played a key role in last year’s World Cup triumph when he shifted from flank to hooker after Malcolm Marx suffered a tournament-ending injury. Fourie ended up playing 77 minutes in the World Cup final against the All Blacks, as Bongi Mbonambi injured his knee early on in the match.
Fourie’s omission from the alignment camp led to speculation that his Test career would end with that match in Paris.
However, speaking to Netwerk24 in Cape Town, Bok coach Erasmus that there is still interest in Fourie’s services and he felt it was simply unnecessary to include the DHL Stormers star in the first camp.
“We know what Deon can do,” Erasmus told Netwerk24. “We know that he can play both hooker and flanker.
“However, I don’t think it’s necessary to bring him to an alignment camp to show him how to get into the Bok team. He has been working with me since he was 18.
“But, every Tuesday when we pick a team, Deon’s name is there on the right side of the sheet, just in case.”
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
