Neethling Fouché on Bok debut: I just focused on not falling when we ran onto the field

It wasn't easy to control his emotions when he ran onto the field and sang the national anthem in his first-ever international match for South Africa.

But one thing Neethling Fouché controlled was not stumbling as he was running out at the DHL Stadium, like his prop mate Asenathi Ntlabakanye did when the Springboks faced the Barbarians on Saturday.

Fouché came on as a substitute shortly after halftime in what he describes as being “a dream come true”.

The Springboks beat the Baabaas 54-7 and laid the perfect foundation for the rest of the season as they head into three Tests in July, a double against Italy and one against Georgia.

“You know, you watch the Springboks and dream of playing for them one day, I got to do it,” Fouché said.

“It was unbelievable. I had to walk a bit of a gravel road to get here, but I just tried to soak it in. Yes, it was a Barbarians game, and the score was high, but it was really physical out there.

“When I ran out ahead of the national anthem, I just didn’t want to fall like Asa. If you didn’t see that, just go and check the highlights,” Fouché laughingly said.

“That was my first focus running out. After that, it was difficult to control your emotions when you sing your national anthem. My entire family was here for the game. As soon as I heard I was playing, they booked plane tickets, all the way from Rustenburg. It truly was a dream come true.”

While it was an unofficial match, Fouché, alongside newcomers flanker Vincent Tshituka, Ntlabakanye, and hooker Marnus van der Merwe, acquitted themselves well of their tasks. Head coach Rassie Erasmus was pleased with their performances but said that there is room for improvement from the entire team.

Fouché said he wasn’t too focused on his performance, but more on what the team required of him. If he did that and achieved the team’s goal, he was happy with his time on the field.

“Coach Rassie always tells us that you should not think about yourself when pulling the Springbok jersey over your head. We must think about South Africa and our teammates. I will always look to improve my game and will never be happy with everything. For me, there is always something I want to do better.

“But as long as I could contribute to the team in my own way. Every day you are with the Springboks is a massive privilege. You say thank you to the Great Man above to be part of this setup and that is how I will take this on, day by day.”

On walking a longer journey than normal to get to the top, the 32-year-old said biding his time paid off in the end.

“People knew me as Frans Malherbe’s stunt double the first couple of years when I got to the Stormers. They didn’t know my first name,” Fouché said.

“With time, you start to carve out your own story. Wilco Louw (at the Stormers then) left to head overseas and there was a gap for me at the Stormers. I tried to bring my side.

"There was a small voice in my head saying this can still happen for you and I just had to keep working. My first six years out of school were tough and I was more injured than fit to play.

“It makes that good feeling I am experiencing right now, so much better (knowing that I stuck it out). This is just amazing.”