Deon Fourie says years of gymnastics during his childhood has helped him become a breakdown terrier as he prepares to make his first Test start at hooker.
Fourie will wear the Springboks’ No 2 jersey for the first time in his career in the defending world champions’ final Pool B match against Tonga on Sunday.
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While he played most of his early career as a hooker, the 37-year-old has become more of a specialised loose forward, due in part to his ability to turn the ball over at the breakdown.
Since returning to the DHL Stormers after a stint in France, Fourie has terrorised teams as one of the most successful openside flankers in the URC.
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During an interview with Sunday newspaper Rapport, he revealed that gymnastics has helped him continue to go toe-to-toe with some of the best forwards in the world deep into a long rugby career.
“It’s worth its weight in gold to me,” Fourie told Rapport.
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“Thanks to my years of gymnastics, I’m still flexible. For example, this helps a lot if I get caught in awkward positions at the breakdown points. It’s also a sport that has helped a lot with my strength, because it’s all about body weight.
“Even if I don’t lift the heaviest weights in the gym, I still have the strength of gymnastics.”
Photo: Photo: Christophe Archambault/AFP
