Deon Fourie is confident of slotting back into the front row if the veteran flanker is asked to play hooker for the Springboks against Romania on Sunday.
Jacques Nienaber is set to name the match-day 23 for South Africa’s second Pool B clash of the World Cup on Wednesday evening, with a heavily-changed lineup expected from the 23 players who beat Scotland last week.
One of those changes could see Fourie make his tournament debut for the Springboks.
Picked as a utility forward in the 33-man squad, Fourie has chiefly been utilised in the back row for the DHL Stormers and Boks, but can also fill in at hooker, where he played earlier in his career.
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It could so happen that he ends up in the middle of the pack against Romania, with Nienaber looking to share the workload and give one of Bongi Mbonambi or Malcolm Marx a break.
“In 2014 when I came to France, I came to play hooker,” Fourie said. “I played hooker here in the first year, second year I was flank, third year I was hooker again, then I moved to flank again. So I was bouncing around between the two.
“I’ve never tasted it [playing hooker] at Test match level, that’s the reality. I’ve been training there for two years now with the Boks.
“I’ve been in and out with hooker training, but hopefully it’s like riding a bike. If I get the opportunity to play there I can just jump back on and ride it.”
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At 36 years old, Fourie is the second-oldest player in South Africa’s squad, after No 8 Duane Vermeulen.
After falling off the radar during his stint with Grenoble in France, ‘Brannas’ exploded back into national contention by playing a crucial role in helping the Stormers progress to successive United Rugby Championship finals, winning one.
Asked what has helped with his longevity, Fourie said: “I can’t put my finger on why I still feel good and still can run with the young guys.
“I did gymnastics for nine years and I’m not the biggest guy doing all the weights in the gym – probably I can write it up to those two.”
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