IF STORMERS flank Deon Fourie takes the field for the Springboks again, he will become the third oldest player to wear the green and gold in history.
Already the oldest Bok debutant at 35 and 287 days, the now-38-year-old is currently in sixth place in terms of the oldest Springbok in history.
After not playing for the national team in 2024 because of injury, many - including Fourie - would have believed that his appearance for South Africa in the 2023 World Cup final against New Zealand would have been his last.
But then coach Rassie Erasmus called him up to his recent alignment camp and Fourie had renewed hope.
Fourie recalls: “It was quite a big surprise for me as well. We just landed in Joburg for the match against the Lions when I learned I was included. I was surprised to get the honour again. Just to be there and hear the plans, it lit the fire again. Hopefully I can stay in the plan.”
If he stays in the plan and cracks the nod for a match, he will leapfrog Johan Ackerman (37 years, 34 days), Morne Steyn (37 years, 34 days) and Duane Vermeulen (37 years, 117 days) - possibly on his way to overtake the two oldest Boks; Victor Matfield (38 years, 172 days) and Schalk Brits (38 years, 145 days).
For now, though, Fourie is concentrating on the Stormers and helping them earn playoff status in the United Rugby Championship.
Coach John Dobson’s 12th-placed manne jetted off to Wales on Tuesday, where they’ll face 10th-placed Scarlets this weekend.
Of tackling Scarlets, Fourie, whose Stormers have had a tough time on the road this year, says: “We are targeting the game against Scarlets - if we can get that first win on the road, it will take the monkey off our back.”