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Cape Town - Springbok lock Johann Muller says that missing out on selection for the World Cup will not dampen his desire to play rugby.
The Ulster lock, who has not played for South Africa since 2009, was set to make his return in the Boks' first Tri-Nations match against the Wallabies, but suffered a hamstring injury and was ruled for the Australasian leg of the tournament.
Muller’s has since slipped down the pecking order, mainly due to the emergence of Gerhard Mostert, and could miss out on making his second appearance at the Rugby World Cup.
However, according to the website of the Belfast Telegraph, the former Sharks second rower will not be crushed by missing out on the September-October tournament.
“If I don't get picked for South Africa again, if I don't get picked for the World Cup, that's fine with me. I've got a great challenge ahead over here,” said Muller.
“However, if I do get a call up that would be fantastic, and I would be honoured to go to another World Cup and play another game for my country. Whichever comes my way I'm a true believer everything happens for a reason.”
Muller joined Ulster from the Sharks at the beginning of 2010 and was made captain of the team yesterday after an influential first season with the team.
The 31 year old has been capped 23 times and was part of the Springbok team which won the 2007 World Cup.
Muller may not be an automatic choice for the Springboks but his experience, and the failure of locally based forwards to step up to the plate in the injury-enforced absence of first-choice players, could still result in him traveling to New Zealand.
The Ulster lock, who has not played for South Africa since 2009, was set to make his return in the Boks' first Tri-Nations match against the Wallabies, but suffered a hamstring injury and was ruled for the Australasian leg of the tournament.
Muller’s has since slipped down the pecking order, mainly due to the emergence of Gerhard Mostert, and could miss out on making his second appearance at the Rugby World Cup.
However, according to the website of the Belfast Telegraph, the former Sharks second rower will not be crushed by missing out on the September-October tournament.
“If I don't get picked for South Africa again, if I don't get picked for the World Cup, that's fine with me. I've got a great challenge ahead over here,” said Muller.
“However, if I do get a call up that would be fantastic, and I would be honoured to go to another World Cup and play another game for my country. Whichever comes my way I'm a true believer everything happens for a reason.”
Muller joined Ulster from the Sharks at the beginning of 2010 and was made captain of the team yesterday after an influential first season with the team.
The 31 year old has been capped 23 times and was part of the Springbok team which won the 2007 World Cup.
Muller may not be an automatic choice for the Springboks but his experience, and the failure of locally based forwards to step up to the plate in the injury-enforced absence of first-choice players, could still result in him traveling to New Zealand.
