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Cape Town - Sport24 readers have backed Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer's selection of Japan-based veteran scrumhalf Fourie du Preez for the Rugby Championship.
The 31-year-old former stalwart of the Springbok team has seen many pretenders vie for his No 9 Springbok jersey since his departure to Suntory Sungoliath, including Ruan Pienaar, Francois Hougaard, Piet van Zyl and Jano Vermaak.
However, none of them have made the position their own, as the Springboks have struggled to fill the void left by his absence.
Du Preez is widely acknowledged as the greatest SA scrumhalf since Joost van der Westhuizen, and many believe the Springboks have sorely missed his tactical acumen and pin-point kicking.
Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn appeared a far more assured player with Du Preez as his halfback partner as they formed a deadly combination for both the Bulls and the Springboks.
Du Preez is 31 (and will be 33, come the next Rugby World Cup in 2015), which is not necessarily too old for an international scrumhalf.
Justin Marshall played his last All Blacks Test for the All Black at 32, Joost van der Westhuizen was also 32 when he played his last Test for the Boks, while Wallaby George Gregan and Agustin Pichot (Argentina) were both 34.
Here's what Sport24 readers said about Du Preez's selection:
"All for bringing back South Africas best scrumhalf, God bless him. Give them hell like only you can Fourie!" - Izzi Max
"Well done Heyneke Meyer for bringing genius Fourie du Preez into the Bok team.. ...with Fourie Du Preez and Pierre Spies in the team, the Boks are going to win the 2015 World Cup..!!" - Johnny Johnson
"Now for Danie and Bakkies and my joy would be complete ... and we will be well on our way to winning the Championship and WC2015." - Julius Malememba
"Excellent news." - Honourable DocTyson
"Fourie du Preez is the Joost of the new milennia. Brilliant rugby brain. Hopefully he can make it to the 2015 World Cup." - Israel Levi
"Du Preez has that something very few rugby players have. On field things just happen for him because of his ability to 'read' the game. His inclusion will up the Boks' rugby IQ by 30." - Henk Hefer
"Why is this coach not developing The young players , yes Du Preez is brilliant and he will not let SA down , but their is just a feeling he does not want to develop young players into his squad and what is his end goal here." - Tyronne Jardim
"Nice to see Fourie Du Preez back for the Boks." - Jaycee Bezuidenhout
"In my opinion, best scrumhalf of all time." - Shaun Neveling
"Great to see Fourie Du Preez back in the squad. Service from the scrummies was lacking when Vermaak got injured." - Adriaan Snyman
Fourie du Preez back for the Boks. (Gallo Images)
Will Du Preez make the Springboks 'smarter'? Send your thoughts to Sport24 to get published!
The 31-year-old former stalwart of the Springbok team has seen many pretenders vie for his No 9 Springbok jersey since his departure to Suntory Sungoliath, including Ruan Pienaar, Francois Hougaard, Piet van Zyl and Jano Vermaak.
However, none of them have made the position their own, as the Springboks have struggled to fill the void left by his absence.
Du Preez is widely acknowledged as the greatest SA scrumhalf since Joost van der Westhuizen, and many believe the Springboks have sorely missed his tactical acumen and pin-point kicking.
Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn appeared a far more assured player with Du Preez as his halfback partner as they formed a deadly combination for both the Bulls and the Springboks.
Du Preez is 31 (and will be 33, come the next Rugby World Cup in 2015), which is not necessarily too old for an international scrumhalf.
Justin Marshall played his last All Blacks Test for the All Black at 32, Joost van der Westhuizen was also 32 when he played his last Test for the Boks, while Wallaby George Gregan and Agustin Pichot (Argentina) were both 34.
Here's what Sport24 readers said about Du Preez's selection:
"All for bringing back South Africas best scrumhalf, God bless him. Give them hell like only you can Fourie!" - Izzi Max
"Well done Heyneke Meyer for bringing genius Fourie du Preez into the Bok team.. ...with Fourie Du Preez and Pierre Spies in the team, the Boks are going to win the 2015 World Cup..!!" - Johnny Johnson
"Now for Danie and Bakkies and my joy would be complete ... and we will be well on our way to winning the Championship and WC2015." - Julius Malememba
"Excellent news." - Honourable DocTyson
"Fourie du Preez is the Joost of the new milennia. Brilliant rugby brain. Hopefully he can make it to the 2015 World Cup." - Israel Levi
"Du Preez has that something very few rugby players have. On field things just happen for him because of his ability to 'read' the game. His inclusion will up the Boks' rugby IQ by 30." - Henk Hefer
"Why is this coach not developing The young players , yes Du Preez is brilliant and he will not let SA down , but their is just a feeling he does not want to develop young players into his squad and what is his end goal here." - Tyronne Jardim
"Nice to see Fourie Du Preez back for the Boks." - Jaycee Bezuidenhout
"In my opinion, best scrumhalf of all time." - Shaun Neveling
"Great to see Fourie Du Preez back in the squad. Service from the scrummies was lacking when Vermaak got injured." - Adriaan Snyman
Fourie du Preez back for the Boks. (Gallo Images)
Will Du Preez make the Springboks 'smarter'? Send your thoughts to Sport24 to get published!
