Publications
Partners
J.J. Harmse
Dublin - Springbok success this year does not depend on Saturday's result against Ireland at Croke Park, even though the hosts believe this game to be the unofficial "final" between the Six Nations champions and the Tri-Nations champions. So says Springbok scrumhalf, Fourie du Preez.
He believes that it is a little far fetched for the Irish to think that victory over the Springboks at the weekend will make them the best team in the world.
"The Irish believe that, but for a team that could not even reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup two years ago, to think that one victory against us will make them the best, is a bit much," said the South African player of the year.
Du Preez reacted to media reports that the home team will have to beat the Springboks in order to be crowned as the team of the year.
"If the British and Irish Lions won the series against us, then they could have staked a claim, but this has been an unparalleled year for Bok rugby.
"Saturday's result will not take away what we have achieved this year," stressed Du Preez.
This does not mean that the Springboks are simply satisfied with what has already been achieved. To beat the Irish remains the goal.
"We know what we have done this year and the right motivation is to end the year on a high note.
"Other people might not want to acknowledge or respect the team's achievements, but that’s just how it goes," said Du Preez.
"However, we do not play for that, we do our best week after week. We have fared excellently and reached our goals in that respect.
"Certain people might have other ideas regarding that, but we know what we have achieved as a team - and we can still improve on that."
The three victories over the All Blacks in one year, definitely served as a greater inspiration than the series win against the Lions, but the Irish now wait as an equally big challenge.
"We know that 80 minutes of wet, cold, windy minutes awaits, but you have a responsibility as a Springbok to play for your country and your people. People have expectations...and that is good, because we created these expectations..."
Du Preez is also caught in a race, along with Irish captain and centre, Brian O'Driscoll, to be announced as the International Rugby Board's player of the year.
"It will have no effect on my performance on Saturday. I know that I have had the best season of my life and believe that I have showed in the big matches that I can do it. More than that I cannot do. It will be good to receive the award, but it will not help us win on Saturday," he said.
Dublin - Springbok success this year does not depend on Saturday's result against Ireland at Croke Park, even though the hosts believe this game to be the unofficial "final" between the Six Nations champions and the Tri-Nations champions. So says Springbok scrumhalf, Fourie du Preez.
He believes that it is a little far fetched for the Irish to think that victory over the Springboks at the weekend will make them the best team in the world.
"The Irish believe that, but for a team that could not even reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup two years ago, to think that one victory against us will make them the best, is a bit much," said the South African player of the year.
Du Preez reacted to media reports that the home team will have to beat the Springboks in order to be crowned as the team of the year.
"If the British and Irish Lions won the series against us, then they could have staked a claim, but this has been an unparalleled year for Bok rugby.
"Saturday's result will not take away what we have achieved this year," stressed Du Preez.
This does not mean that the Springboks are simply satisfied with what has already been achieved. To beat the Irish remains the goal.
"We know what we have done this year and the right motivation is to end the year on a high note.
"Other people might not want to acknowledge or respect the team's achievements, but that’s just how it goes," said Du Preez.
"However, we do not play for that, we do our best week after week. We have fared excellently and reached our goals in that respect.
"Certain people might have other ideas regarding that, but we know what we have achieved as a team - and we can still improve on that."
The three victories over the All Blacks in one year, definitely served as a greater inspiration than the series win against the Lions, but the Irish now wait as an equally big challenge.
"We know that 80 minutes of wet, cold, windy minutes awaits, but you have a responsibility as a Springbok to play for your country and your people. People have expectations...and that is good, because we created these expectations..."
Du Preez is also caught in a race, along with Irish captain and centre, Brian O'Driscoll, to be announced as the International Rugby Board's player of the year.
"It will have no effect on my performance on Saturday. I know that I have had the best season of my life and believe that I have showed in the big matches that I can do it. More than that I cannot do. It will be good to receive the award, but it will not help us win on Saturday," he said.
