A SIGN OF THE TIMES

DEON Fourie has been one of rugby’s great competitors and a warrior who has defied Father Time, but he has admitted that at 39-years-old, and with his arm in a sling following a torn bicep, it could be game over.

Fourie told Independent Media, 11 days after surgery to reattach his bicep to his bone, that he is weighing up his future.

Fourie smiled ruefully: “I’m working through the seven stages of grief. I’m still processing what has happened.”

Fourie says he will decide on his future once the rehab is well underway.

He wysed, tapping his sling: “We will see how long this takes.

“I’ve just had the operation. Former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers had the same injury during the 2007 World Cup. He got through it and played for a good few more years afterward.

“Emotionally, I have been up and down regarding my future.

“Maybe I must start listening to the signs. We will see. When the rehab starts at the Stormers, and I start seeing the guys, maybe the fire will start burning again.”

Fourie has kept a close eye on the fortunes of the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship.

Fourie added: “We are building nicely compared to last year. We have a new system in place, and the guys are buying into it. We are playing entertaining rugby and enjoying the fruits of it.

“The Leinster game took everyone by surprise – how well we played. That was nice. The squad has grown since last year. Young guys are coming through and taking their opportunities.”

Leading the young brigade is, of course, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Fourie smiled: “We knew from the start what talent he has.

“He hit the ground running from his first game. But he has his feet on the ground. He is a great oke.”