Springboks icon Fourie du Preez recently opened up about his competitive encounters with Mike Phillips, the former scrum-half for Wales and the British & Irish Lions. Although du Preez was not fond of Phillips' provocative style on the field, he proudly holds a winning record against him, solidifying an interesting dynamic between the two during their confrontations.
The rivalry peaked during the intense and physically demanding 2009 series where the Springboks clinched a 2-1 victory against the Lions. Both du Preez and Phillips were key players, starting as scrum-halves in all three tests of what is remembered as one of rugby's most electrifying contests. Unlike Phillips, du Preez chose to steer clear of verbal altercations, preferring his performance to speak for itself.
"I was never [a chirpy scrum-half], to be honest, I didn’t enjoy it. I don’t enjoy giving me lip, I like to let my play do the talking and the guys around me, so luckily I had guys like Schalk and Bakkies who sorted him out. For me, if you win I would just rather stay quiet. Against Mike Phillips, I was lucky enough to never lose against Wales, so he can say whatever he wants, he’s got a zero per cent record."
While du Preez maintained his composure, his teammates were more conspicuous in their interactions with Phillips. Schalk Burger shared an anecdote on the Boks Unpacked podcast, recalling a moment involving formidable enforcer Bakkies Botha and Phillips during the second test in Pretoria. Burger was apprehensive, thinking Botha might overstep the line in his usual fiery manner.
Burger narrated an unexpected turn during the encounter that left everyone, including Phillips, in bewildered amusement. Instead of a confrontation, Botha had a lighter interaction that shifted the mood unexpectedly.
"Bakkies grabbed him once in that game in Pretoria in the second Test match and I was like, ‘alright, it’s going to go horribly wrong’, if this is a headbutt, punch, this is Mike Phillips getting killed on a rugby field, it’s written in the stars. Bakkies grabbed him and then calmed down and he said: ‘Oh my, you’ve got beautiful blue eyes’. Mike is there thinking, ‘what just happened? Bakkies has complimented me on my eyes’."
These exchanges, fierce yet tinged with an underlying respect and occasional humor, epitomize the complex relationships that can emerge on the rugby field among top athletes, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the sport itself.
The 2009 series remains a celebrated chapter in Springbok rugby history, not only for the victory but also for the memorable personalities and moments that arose from it, illustrating the intense rivalry and camaraderie that defines rugby at its best.
