Fourie: ‘Proud to play as Stormer’
One of the country's most outstanding rugby talents, Deon Fourie, who grew up in the city, will return to his home city as a professional rugby player when he arrives with his team, the DHL Stormers, this week.
POLOKWANE – One of the country’s most outstanding rugby talents, Deon Fourie, who grew up in the city, will return to his home city as a professional rugby player when he arrives with his team, the DHL Stormers, this week.
Fourie and his teammates from the Western Province (WP) Rugby Union will face the Vodacom Bulls in a once-off Super Rugby warm-up match at the Peter Moka-ba Sports Complex on Saturday.
Born in Pretoria in 1986, Fourie later moved to Polokwane. He had a lot of rugby practise while playing for Hoërskool Pietersburg and was selected for the 2004 Limpopo Blue Bulls Craven Week side. In 2005 Fourie was selected for the South African u/19 team.
Fourie took some time out of his busy schedule to speak to Review earlier this week. “It is difficult to visit Polokwane often as I don’t have a lot of free time since becoming a professional rugby player. But I still have a couple of friends in Polokwane and enjoy visiting them whenever I get the chance,” Fourie said.
This versatile player, who is equally comfortable as a hooker or flanker, led the Western Province Currie Cup team in 2012 to victory as captain when they outplayed the Sharks. He also won Currie Cup player of the year in 2012.
“I am indeed very excited to play here in Polokwane in Stormers’ colours for the first time. It is great coming back to where my rugby career started,” Fourie said, about Saturday’s Super Rugby warm-up clash.
In the 2013 Super Rugby season Fourie displayed his talent on the field for the DHL Stormers, and he was awarded with no fewer than four Vodacom Super Rugby Man of the Match awards. Besides being chosen for the SA u/19 side, Fourie also represented his country on the sevens rugby Blitz Bokke team for the 2007 season. The Polokwane-bred player is knocking on the Springbok team’s door for an opportunity to be included in the national side. In April last year, Fourie and the WP Rugby Union signed a deal that will keep him in Cape Town until 2015. His sports idol has always been former WP captain and Springbok skipper, Corné Krige, so it is no wonder that he is happy in their camp.
Fourie appreciates all the loyal DHL Stormers fans in Limpopo. “Thanks to all the DHL Stormers supporters. I know it is difficult with all the Vodacom Blue Bulls supporters around you, but we hope to make you proud when we take the Bulls on this weekend,” he said.
Fourie’s parents, Deon Snr and Jeanette, who have retired and now live elsewhere, also spoke to Review.
“We are very proud of Deon’s achievements. The most astounding thing of all is that it was his own decision to seek a professional rugby career in the Cape.
“We don’t have relatives in that area and Deon managed to establish himself there on his own, which makes us even more proud,” Jeanette said.
“We are passionate WP and Stormers supporters, although my husband was a bit reluctant at first. But he changed his mind, and we support our son and his rugby team, no doubt about that,” she said.
She said they did not have the chance to spend much time with Deon due to his busy schedule.
“We make time to travel after him when he is playing matches across the country. My husband and I will certainly be heading to Polokwane this weekend to support him and his team,” she added.
