Dobbo: Brannas playing like he's 32!

02/14/2025 10:13 AM

Stormers coach John Dobson says he's thrilled with veteran fetcher Deon Fourie, who was called up for the first Springbok alignment camp of the year.

Bok coach Rassie Erasmus on Friday named a 56-man group consisting of locally-based players, including 13 Stormers, for a three-day indaba in Cape Town next month.

Fourie has not worn the green and gold since the 2023 World Cup final against the All Blacks in Paris, in which he came off the bench in the fourth minute to replace injured hooker Bongi Mbonambi.

He suffered a knee injury while playing for the Stormers in an Investec Champions Cup match against La Rochelle in April last year and only returned to action in late December for a Vodacom URC clash against the Lions.

The 38-year-old has made five appearances in total for the Stormers so far this season, racking up 295 minutes of game time.

"I'm thrilled with him and he's done incredibly – remarkably – well," said Dobson on Friday when asked about Fourie’s comeback.

"I don’t think he would've been as happy with his performance last week [against the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town] as some of the other guys; he wants to be very influential like he has been over the years.

"He's doing well athletically, in his leadership and his training output, I just think he got a bit frustrated last week.

"But watching him train you wouldn't know if that guy is 32 or 38, and I know he's looking forward to putting together some performances so that he can sneak one more green and gold [appearance].”

The Stormers director of rugby was also pleased for scrumhalf Paul de Wet, one of 16 uncapped players in the alignment camp group.

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"Paul is probably having the best season of his life and being called up will be a massive boost for him,” said Dobson, who insisted the camp wouldn't serve as a distraction for his team ahead of Saturday’s URC match against the Lions at Ellis Park.

"Maybe one or two other guys who are playing tomorrow might be disappointed [at not making the camp] and have to process that on a Friday. But they're professional players and I've got no doubt [that disappointment] will be out of their system by the time the game starts tomorrow."

Dobson also warned against reading too much into alignment camp call-ups.

"It's fantastic recognition [for a player] and shows you're moving in the right direction, but it's 56 local players, so it’s some journey still to go to the green and gold.

"Being left out of an alignment camp can be a disappointment or a motivator, but I believe it's not until your boots and studs are stuck into the ground while wearing the green and gold that you’re a Springbok."

Pgoto: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

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