Suntory Sungoliath respond to media speculation regarding return of Fourie du Preez
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Fourie du Preez in action for the Springboks in a scrappy IRB World Cup match versus Fiji in 2011. Photo by Forster/Getty Images AsiaPac.
Suntory Sungoliath have responded to recent speculation linking celebrated scrumhalf Fourie du Preez with a return to the Springbok fold for the series against England, indicating that they will not stand in his way if his assistance is requested by Coach Heyneke Meyer.
Former Suntory GM and current Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones says: “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 says that he would be open to assisting the Springboks if called upon in a crisis and is happy to work with the younger players as a mentor, but believes that South African-based players should be preferred in the national set-up. “I do not intend making myself ‘unavailable’ for the Springboks but I do believe that players that play locally should get preference,” he says. “I’m well aware that we have a wealth of talented scrumhalves – in particular, Francois Hougaard, whose time has now come. It’s time for the next generation to step up and I’m happy to help play a role if the Coach calls on me”.
“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 & 2009) and beat the British & Irish Lions (2009). I won the Super 14 title and the Currie Cup with the Bulls on 3 occasions each and was fortunate to play for the Baby Boks when we won the U/21 Rugby World Cup in 2002,” he says. “I’d be happy to share my experience with the next generation of South African rugby talent and I thank everyone at 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”.
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