Du Preez may be catalyst to Springbok victory over Australia
The Springboks must win in Cape Town to bridge four-point gap behind New Zealand
Veteran South Africa scrum-half Fourie du Preez could be the catalyst for victory over Australia on Saturday in a vital Rugby Championship Test.
The Springboks must win at Newlands stadium in Cape Town to have a realistic chance of bridging a four-point gap behind leaders New Zealand and topping the final standings.
And coach Heyneke Meyer says Japan-based Du Preez can play a key role in his first green-and-gold start since the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
Many pundits believed the then 30-year-old was past his prime after quitting the Northern Bulls last year for a Suntory Sungoliath outfit coached by Australian Eddie Jones.
But Meyer begs to differ, believing Du Preez could be his first-choice No. 9 come the 2015 World Cup in England.
“Watching Fourie train this week you realise what a great player he is,” said former Bulls boss and Super Rugby-winning coach Meyer.