Publications
Partners
Durban - It has happened so quickly, but the curtain is fast coming down on the Springbok career of captain Adriaan Strauss.
Having stunned the Boks mid-Rugby Championship with news of his international retirement at the end of the year, Strauss has since been at the centre of an incredibly difficult time for Springbok rugby.
He has, to his credit, held his head high by putting in some serious shifts over the past three matches.
Last weekend against Australia, Strauss was full of running and tackling to go along with his usual pin-point lineout accuracy as he led the Boks to an 18-10 win and a man-of-the-match performance.
He appears to be finding his groove again in a green and gold jersey, but he will play his last Test on home soil this weekend when the Boks take on the All Blacks at Kings Park.
Humble by nature and known for being a team man, Strauss would not want that attention.
And, on Tuesday, Juan de Jongh revealed that it was not something the players had discussed.
"Adriaan’s reputation speaks for itself," said De Jongh.
"All of the guys in the squad have massive respect for him, not only what he’s done so far for the Springboks but what he’s done for his union."
"I didn't even know about that ... that’s not our focus.
"The main thing is this weekend’s game ... the most important thing is to prepare well and work hard."
Strauss will likely echo those same thoughts when he gives his captain's press conference on Friday, but the significance of the match for a man who has represented his country 62 times cannot be ignored.
It is not the end of the road for Strauss, though, as he is expected to be a part of the Boks' end of year tour to the northern hemisphere where fixtures against England, Italy and Wales await.
