Jean-Luc du Preez: ‘I considered giving up on the Springboks’
Springboks forward Jean-Luc du Preez.
Jean-Luc du Preez is eager to make the most of his first start for the Springboks in seven years.
The 30-year-old has been named at number eight for the clash against the Wallabies in Cape Town, which will be his first Test start since the 42-39 victory over England back in 2018.
The back-rower has been on the fringe of the Springboks squad for the last seven years, repeatedly earning call-ups to training squads.
He won the last of his 14 caps in the Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in 2023, coming off the bench in the fixture, but now gets his chance in the run-on team.
Pressure on the Springboks
While he is excited for the opportunity, Du Preez admits the Springboks are under pressure this week after the crushing defeat to the Wallabies at Ellis Park in round one of the Rugby Championship.
“There is a lot of pressure on us, and then for me to come in after not starting for seven years, I’m just trying not to think about the outside noise too much. Just get my prep right in the week and just do a proper job,” he told reporters in Cape Town.
“We are expecting much of the same from the Aussies, who did very well last week – their turnover attack cut us up. For us, it was just working on our defence this week.”
On the magnitude of his opportunity, he added: “It’s my first Test start in seven years, so that speaks for itself.
“I would just like to do my best for the team and get us on the front foot, and hopefully we can get the job done on Saturday.”
It’s been a long road back to the Springboks jersey for Du Preez, and he admits that the doubt seeped in.
“Your mind is a powerful thing, and there were times when I was thinking, ‘Should I just give up on the Springboks?’ But I would never be able to actually do that,” he added.
“It’s taken quite a while for me to start again, but you can never take this for granted; you need to make it count.”
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Not looking too far ahead
The Springboks have suffered several injuries in the back-row, with the likes of Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, and Juarno Augustus all sidelined and missed out on selection for the Rugby Championship. That was followed by setbacks for Siya Kolisi, while Jasper Wiese is unavailable due to suspension.
This weekend’s game against the Wallabies provides Du Preez with the chance to nail down the starting role for the upcoming matches against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
But the loose forward says that he isn’t looking beyond this weekend.
“I don’t want to look too far ahead, and we might have players coming back before then, too,” he admitted.
“It’s my first Test in such a long time and Saturday is the only thing on my mind right now.”
While it’s his first Test cap since 2023, Du Preez did get a start against the Barbarians in Cape Town which was a confidence boost.
“Getting that run did help my confidence a little bit, but it was like two and a half months ago, so we’ve done a lot of prep, a lot of hard work, and a lot has changed since then,” he added.
“I’m just so thankful for the opportunity to get a run out on Saturday and represent my country again.”
