ex Keo
Jaque Fourie will be unavailable to the Springboks for the next two years because of commitments to his new club in Japan.
Earlier this year, the Bok No 13 signed a deal with the Kobelco Steelers that effectively made him the highest-paid rugby player on the planet (please note Dr Moz - this reflects on his ability of course). Fourie told Die Burger that this deal will preclude him from Test rugby.
‘My return to Springbok rugby has been speculated and I would like to make my position clear,’ he told the newspaper. ‘I take great pride in my career as a Springbok and there have been some incredible memories, but I decided after last year’s World Cup to start a new chapter and I want to show the same commitment for the Steelers that I previously did the Springboks.
‘I am not available for the Boks while I am at the Steelers.’
The news will come as a blow to the Boks, as the 29-year-old was in coach Heyneke Meyer’s plans. As it stands, Fourie will only be available to the Boks when he is 31, and by then another player may have made that No 13 position his own.
Juan de Jongh played understudy to Fourie at the Stormers and the Boks, and is the natural successor. However, there are some other talented players who will come into contention, and Meyer has said on more than one occasion that he rates Bulls No 13 Johann Sadie very highly.
On current form Sadie hasn' t a hope. We also could play Jean at 12 which is my choice. Then there is JP who could be the man. Also I like how Robret Ebersohn is playing. He is in my view a better player than de Jongh and will always be untill de Jongh learns how to link with other players in the backline. Taute needs to be watched but at the moment is not a front runner. JJ Engelbrecht is looking promising. Lambie is a possiblity.
So there are anumber of options. Its a question of who should partner frans. I think the three top contenders now are Jean, JP and Robert Ebersohn. de jongh has the ability but must overcome the shortcoming mentioned.
