South African national rugby coach Rassie Erasmus has proved once again that age is just a number when it comes to his core group of trusted warriors, revealing that veteran utility forward Deon Fourie was never out of the Springbok picture.
The 39-year-old World Cup winner’s return to the national set-up raised eyebrows among some pundits, given his recent battle for match sharpness. However, speaking ahead of the upcoming Test match, Erasmus shed light on why the ageless flanker-come-hooker remains an indispensable asset to the squad.
“Obviously, Deon played well for the Stormers,” Erasmus said. “He’s not match-fit and hasn’t played a lot of matches, but I’ve coached him since he was 18. He’s a wrestler, he’s a gymnast … for age 39."
Erasmus’s selection strategy has always prioritised tactical flexibility, and Fourie offers a unique multi-role capability that few players in world rugby can replicate. With crucial upcoming fixtures demanding both physical resilience and immense composure, Fourie's inclusion provides the coaching staff with a massive safety net on the bench.
“He covers for us at hooker; he can go to openside as well if Siya plays, and he can move there later and then André Esterhuizen can maybe go to the backline again," Erasmus explained.
“It gives us a little bit more options, more leadership and calmness."
For Erasmus, having a player of Fourie's experience on standby is less about building for the future and more about managing the high-stakes pressure of top-tier Test rugby right now. When the pressure mounts and game plans need to pivot in real-time, the Stormers man is the ultimate insurance policy.
“He was always in that bracket where, ‘Listen, boys, when we sometimes have to push the emergency button’, he’s one of those players,” Erasmus concluded.
As the Springboks prepare to face their next challenge, Fourie’s presence in the squad stands as a testament to his enduring grit and a clear sign that whenever the emergency button needs to be pressed, the veteran will be ready to answer the call.