The Vodacom URC derby between the DHL Stormers and Bulls at a packed Loftus Versfeld has taken Deon Fourie back to his high-school days watching the game from the stands.
Fourie is celebrated in the Western Cape for his exploits in a DHL Stormers jersey, but it was in the north of South Africa where he fell in love with the game.
Born in Pretoria and raised in Limpopo’s capital city, Fourie has been thrown back to his childhood by Saturday’s North-South derby.
“I grew up in Polokwane,” Fourie said.
“I can remember since I was little going to Loftus Versfeld and watching these derby games and they were always the biggest – pulling the crowds and all the emotions around them. I think it’s just ingrained in our DNA as South Africans to really compete in the derbies.”
The derby will take place during an Origins Round in the URC where the players go back to their rugby roots by wearing their school rugby socks.
“Wearing the school socks is inspirational and reflective,” Fourie explained. “When I was at school in Hoërskool Pietersburg we still had the wool socks with the little tie at the back. It brings back memories.
“You always remember playing with your mates at school, and the guys I played rugby with at school are still my best friends today. That’s the beauty of rugby. It creates that bond.
“For me, that’s where it all started – at high school. You don’t see a lot of professional rugby players coming from that side of the country, so maybe for all the kids playing in Hoërskool Pietersburg now it’s good to see that there is a possibility to play professionally and hopefully internationally as well.”
The Stormers are currently on a seven-game winning run against the Bulls and have not lost to South African opposition since December 2021.
“I think it’s just a confidence thing with the Stormers at the moment,” Fourie said.
“Winning is a habit, but it takes hard work to keep that habit. The Bulls are firing at the moment and they want to break that bogey, so it’s going to be tough but exciting as well. It will be intense.”
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images