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London - Former Springbok scrumhalf Neil de Kock is set to play his 200th match for Saracens, the English club's official website reports.
De Kock, 35, is on the bench for their Heineken Cup quarter-final away to Irish club Ulster on Saturday and will reach the milestone if he makes an appearance.
Since making the first of his 199 appearances for the club in September 2006 against London Irish in the EDF Energy Cup, De Kock has been a fixture of the side, and will be joining the likes of Kris Chesney, Richard Hill and Kevin Sorrell in making 200 appearances for the club in the professional era.
“I definitely didn’t think when I made my debut for the club that I’d be here preparing for my 200th game,” said De Kock.
“I think I’m very fortunate to have played that many games for such a great club. When I first came over it was on a two-year contract and being the young and naive guy I was back then I thought I’d play two years over here then just head back to South Africa and finish my career there."
De Kock said he plans to play another season before calling it a day.
"I’m still thoroughly enjoying my rugby. I plan to play another season, I’ve been very blessed and very fortunate that my body is still going and that I feel good. The biggest thing for me is that I still have a burning desire to play, I want to contribute and give as much back to Saracens as I can, as Saracens have given me so much”.
De Kock played 10 Tests for the Springboks between 2001 and 2003 and represented Western Province and the Stormers before heading to England.
De Kock, 35, is on the bench for their Heineken Cup quarter-final away to Irish club Ulster on Saturday and will reach the milestone if he makes an appearance.
Since making the first of his 199 appearances for the club in September 2006 against London Irish in the EDF Energy Cup, De Kock has been a fixture of the side, and will be joining the likes of Kris Chesney, Richard Hill and Kevin Sorrell in making 200 appearances for the club in the professional era.
“I definitely didn’t think when I made my debut for the club that I’d be here preparing for my 200th game,” said De Kock.
“I think I’m very fortunate to have played that many games for such a great club. When I first came over it was on a two-year contract and being the young and naive guy I was back then I thought I’d play two years over here then just head back to South Africa and finish my career there."
De Kock said he plans to play another season before calling it a day.
"I’m still thoroughly enjoying my rugby. I plan to play another season, I’ve been very blessed and very fortunate that my body is still going and that I feel good. The biggest thing for me is that I still have a burning desire to play, I want to contribute and give as much back to Saracens as I can, as Saracens have given me so much”.
De Kock played 10 Tests for the Springboks between 2001 and 2003 and represented Western Province and the Stormers before heading to England.
