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De Jongh to transfer Sevens experience to Boks

Cape Town - Before featuring as a substitute in South Africa's 30-23 win over Argentina in Nelspruit last month, Juan de Jongh's last Test match had come in November 2012.

Almost four years later, he is back in the mix. 

De Jongh is part of a 28-man squad currently in Brisbane where the Boks are preparing for Saturday's crucial Rugby Championship Test against Australia. 

He may not feature if the midfield pairing of Damian de Allende and Lionel Mapoe is backed once more by Allister Coetzee, but De Jongh is just thrilled to be back in the mix. 

Now 28, De Jongh has had to change pace a few times already this year as he has yo-yoed between 15s and Sevens. 

He started the season by playing in four Sevens World Series tournaments for the Blitzboks before returning to Cape Town for Super Rugby duty with the Stormers. 

He then returned to Sevens before the end of the Super Rugby season, jetting off to Rio with the Blitzboks where he helped secure Team South Africa an Olympic bronze medal. 

The focus is now very much back on 15s and helping the Boks, and Coetzee, out of the quagmire they currently find themselves in. 

"The experience I got with the Sevens was absolutely fantastic, not only off the field but on the field as well," De Jongh said from Brisbane.

"I just want to take that experience and whatever I’ve learnt and bring it into this squad and hopefully I can make a difference in all departments.

"Any green and gold for me is an honour and I’m just happy to be back in the whole squad of 28 … it’s absolutely fantastic and something I’ll cherish for a very long time.

"I know that once these opportunities are gone, they’re gone forever so it’s important for me to take every day and minute and enjoy it in making memories.

"It’s important for me to work hard, stay focused, be dedicated and enjoy whatever opportunities I do get."

The Boks under Coetzee have won three and lost two. 

Kick-off on Saturday is at 12:05.

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