At 30, Jean-Luc du Preez is poised to rekindle his tenure with the Springboks, marking his first start in seven years in the upcoming clash with the Wallabies in Cape Town. Named at number eight, Du Preez is stepping onto the field for his first Test start since a 2018 victory over England, a significant hiatus that had him questioning his future with the national team.
The Springboks are feeling the heat after a recent loss to the Wallabies at Ellis Park, adding to the weight on Du Preez's shoulders as he rejoins the starting lineup. "There is a lot of pressure on us, and then for me to come in after not starting for seven years, I’m just trying not to think about the outside noise too much. Just get my prep right in the week and just do a proper job," Du Preez shared with the media in Cape Town.
"It’s my first Test start in seven years, so that speaks for itself. I would just like to do my best for the team and get us on the front foot, and hopefully we can get the job done on Saturday."
The journey back to the Springboks' lineup has been fraught with doubt for Du Preez. "Your mind is a powerful thing, and there were times when I was thinking, ‘Should I just give up on the Springboks?’ But I would never be able to actually do that," he confessed. The series of injuries in the back-row only compounded the uncertainty, with teammates like Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, and Juarno Augustus sidelined, alongside setbacks for Siya Kolisi and the unavailability of Jasper Wiese due to suspension.
Despite the challenges, Du Preez is firmly focused on the present, unwilling to cast his gaze too far into the future. "It’s my first Test in such a long time and Saturday is the only thing on my mind right now," he stated, acknowledging that his brief stint against the Barbarians two and a half months ago bolstered his confidence.
The impending game offers Du Preez not just a chance to shine but also an opportunity to secure a more permanent spot in the face of forthcoming matches, particularly against the All Blacks in New Zealand. For now, the number eight is grateful for the chance to don the Springboks jersey once again and is determined to make every moment count on the field this Saturday.