Deon Fourie was named as captain for DHL Stormers in their Round 8 United Rugby Championship clash against the Emirates Lions on Saturday at 15:45 (SA Time) in Cape Town.
Fourie will return from a back from an eight-month injury layoff after a serious knee injury in the round 8 Vodacom URC derby at Cape Town Stadium which was followed by an ACL injury in April during the Investec Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle in Cape Town.
"It was a long journey with lots of ups and downs," Fourie said. “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 on Saturday."
"I’ve told the guys it feels like my first cap. I’m not usually the guy who stresses before games and am always chilled, but as soon as I woke up on Monday I started to get the jitters, it’s been so long since I’ve played."
"Definitely there will be some errors, sorry Dobbo in advance but it’s just getting back in there. Once the adrenaline starts pumping hopefully it will go well."
"The contact is not the same but I’ve been around the block for quite a few years so hopefully that will help."
Fourie said he always leads by example and won’t change a thing in his approach on Saturday.
"When Dobbo told me on Monday, 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."