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PARIS - A few months ago Fourie du Preez could have been forgiven for having given up hope of playing in the World Cup. How England must have wished that had been the case as he once again showed why he is regarded as the best halfback in world rugby.
The 24-year-old turned in one of the star turns of any World Cup as he created the three tries that drove the Springboks to a record 36-0 World Cup defeat on the world champions on Saturday (NZ time) and earned high praise from the losers' coach Brian Ashton.
"Fourie du Preez is probably the brightest scrum-half in the sport at the moment," commented Ashton, who by contrast had to replace his first choice No.9 Shaun Perry at half-time after a dreadful first-half.
For the Springboks inspirational coach Jake White, his performance was a miracle given that injury had all but kept him out for most of last season, though he had returned for the Bulls Super 14 victory over fellow South African side The Sharks.
"It was only I think his third game of rugby in a while so it was pretty special," said the 43-year-old, who has like many of the Under-21 side that he guided to the 2002 world championship introduced to the senior side since he took over in 2004.
"In fact that wasn't his full box of tricks as we haven't really done everything that we have worked on with him in training, there just hasn't been the opportunity."
White heaped praise both on first-five Butch James declaring it one of the best tests he had played and also former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.
"The work he has done on the halfback partnership has had a huge impact," said White.
However, if England had done their homework and no doubt likely quarter-final oppoents Wales will have taken note, his darting runs down the blindside should not have taken them by surprise as he revealed to The Bulls website.
"I don't think about my breaks beforehand," said du Preez, who made his international debut against Ireland in 2004.
"When I arrive at the ruck, I usually know how many defenders are covering the blindside and if we have a man over, I will make the break. It is as easy as tying my bootlaces."
Rugby to be fair is in his genes as the 2006 South African player of the year is the son of former Northern Transvaal No 8 Fourie senior and nephew of Springbok legend Frik du Preez.
Despite all the accolades he has received and awards, he remains very humble compared to Joost van der Westhuizen, who dominated the role for three World Cups including the 1995 triumph in South Africa.
"It was a team win on Friday (Saturday) and no, we are not looking to the final yet, we are remaining firmly on the ground and taking everything one stage at a time," said du Preez, who rates All Blacks halfback Byron Kelleher as his toughest opponent.
"I don't know if that was the finest performance by me in a Springbok jersey but hopefully I can work on my game even more as I lacked a fair amount of match fitness coming into the tournament," added du Preez, who will sit out the next group match with Tonga next Saturday in Lens.
And should the injuries eventually take their toll on him with the almost incessant year round play then Ernie Els and other South African golfing stars better watch out as he is a crack golfer and is already a one handicap player.
"Maybe I'll play rugby for another three seasons and then become a pro golfer!" Du Preez joked to the Bulls website.
- AFP
