The Stormers utility forward has been picked as a hooker for the match against New Zealand.
Deon Fourie, after playing in the World Cup final in 2023, is back in green and gold. Picture: Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images
Deon Fourie, a late call-up to the Springbok squad, is set to become the oldest South African Test player on Saturday if he plays off the bench against the All Blacks in the second Test in Cape Town.
Having only just returned to fitness after a lengthy injury layoff, Fourie performed superbly in the tour match for the Stormers against the All Blacks in Cape Town two Fridays ago – the visitors’ first match on their trip through South Africa – and was subsequently called into the Bok setup by coach Rassie Erasmus.
Fourie will now get a chance to go past Victor Matfield and Schalk Brits as the oldest player to represent the Boks.
Matfield and Brits were both 38 when they last played for the national team. Fourie is 39. He turns 40 on 25 September.
His last match for the Boks was the 2023 World Cup final, also against the All Blacks, when he replaced starting hooker Bongi Mbonambi in the early stages of the game. The Boks won 12-11.
Fourie has again been picked as a hooker this week, to back up Malcolm Marx, though he is equally comfortable at flank and No 8.
The Stormers man’s inclusion in the Boks’ matchday 23 also means Erasmus’ side have more experience up front and from the bench for this week’s Test.
Though he’s only played 13 Tests for the Boks, Fourie has been around playing senior international rugby since his Stormers debut back in 2008. He also played in France for seven years.
And with the inclusion of the likes of Thomas du Toit (34) and Lood de Jager (74) on the bench and Handré Pollard (87) and Siya Kolisi (104), for now, moving into the starting team, the Boks will push the most experienced Test-23 ever into action on Saturday.
As things stand, the Boks will have a starting line-up of 1,012 caps – the highest ever fielded by South Africa. There are 428 caps in the backline, with 584 caps among the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 204 caps.
However, should Kolisi not be declared fit to play, this number will change, because the man replacing him would be Paul de Villiers and he’s only played four Tests.
Odest Boks:
Victor Matfield (38 years 172 days)
Schalk Brits (38 years 145 days)
Duane Vermeulen (37 years 117 days)
Morné Steyn (37 years 34 days)
Johan Ackermann (37 years 34 days)
