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Cape Town - Juan de Jongh played the last of his 14 Test matches in November 2012, but he is one player who might have a way back into the green and gold jersey now that Allister Coetzee is in charge.
Coetzee, who coached De Jongh at Western Province and the Stormers from 2009 until the end of last year, has been vocal in the past on how highly he rates the 27-year-old centre.
De Jongh, now co-captain of the Stormers, has been in good form all Super Rugby season and there are many who think that this could be his chance to get back into the national set-up.
It is hard to imagine that it isn't playing on his mind at least a little, but De Jongh was giving nothing away on Thursday, saying all the things expected of a franchise captain.
"No … at this moment we’re all focused on the Stormers. We don’t even know the dates or what is happening that side," De Jongh said when asked about whether or not the June Tests were in the minds of some of the players.
"It’s all about the Stormers now. We’ve been working on this campaign in terms of phases.
"We had a first phase before our bye … we’re at our second phase now.
"We know we have four games in this phase now so it’s important to make sure we achieve our goals in this phase. It’s all about this weekend."
De Jongh was, however, thrilled that Coetzee had been given the gig.
"I must say, it's absolutely fantastic for coach Allister," he said.
"He brings a lot of different things to the party. The people out there and the supporters must get behind him because he is a good coach and he will work hard to make a success out of this campaign for the next four years.
"Hopefully things will go for him and he will get big results and massive success."
