Maybe I must start listening to the signs – Deon Fourie weighs up his future

Deon Fourie has been one of rugby’s great competitors and a warrior who has defied Father Time, but he has admitted that at 39-years old, and with his arm in a sling following a torn bicep, it could be game over.

Fourie told Independent Media, 10 days after the surgery to reattach the bicep to the bone, that he is weighing up his future.

“I’m working through the seven stages of grief,” he smiled ruefully. “I’m still processing what has happened.”

Fourie was speaking at a Pick n Pay function in Johannesburg to launch their Collectaboks cards campaign. The Stormers stalwart said it has been a tough year with injury, and there was disappointment when he could not be considered for the Springbok season.

“At the beginning of the year, I was at the Bok alignment camp, then a few weeks after that I broke my ankle. So, that was a big blow because I had thought I could bring myself into the Springbok mix and maybe get another Test.”

Fourie says he will decide on his future once the rehab is well underway.

“We will see how long this takes,” he said, tapping his sling.

“I’ve just had the operation. Former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers had the same injury during the 2007 World Cup. He got through it and played for a good few more years afterward.

“Emotionally, I have been up and down regarding my future,” Fourie admitted.

“Maybe I must start listening to the signs. We will see. When the rehab starts at the Stormers, and I start seeing the guys, maybe the fire will start burning again.”

Fourie has kept a close eye on the fortunes of the Stormers in the URC.

“We are building nicely compared to last year. We have a new system in place, and the guys are buying into it. We are playing entertaining rugby and enjoying the fruits of it.

“Benetton will be a big test; we have never won there,” Fourie said, on Saturday morning before the Stormers went on to win that game.

“If we beat Benetton over there for the first time, it will be the first time we have been unbeaten on tour. That would be a nice bit of history.

“It makes a big difference when you start the season well,” Fourie continued.

“The Leinster game took everyone by surprise – how well we played. That was nice. The squad has grown since last year. Young guys are coming through and taking their opportunities.”

Leading the young brigade is, of course, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Sacha FM is blaring loud and clear.

“We knew from the start what talent he has,” Fourie smiled.

“He hit the ground running from his first game. But he has his feet on the ground. He is a great oke, trains hard, and influences everyone around him.”

Fourie said the imminent Springbok tour of Europe is of critical importance.

“It is vital that the Boks do well with the World Cup draw coming in December. We want to be on top of the world rankings when they do that draw so that we can have a favourable pool.”

He says the games against France and Ireland will be “spicy.”

The Boks will be playing France for the first time since beating them at the Stade de France in the World Cup quarter-final.

“France will be up for it,” Fourie grinned. “They definitely have not moved on.

“And a win in Dublin would be the cherry on the top. I think they are there for the taking,” Fourie predicted. “We have lost too many games against them now. Rassie will definitely get the guys fired up for that one.”