Willie le Roux lauds Springboks' 'beast' Malcolm Marx after World Rugby Player of the Year award

Springbok centurion Willie Le Roux says he has been the Boks’ “biggest fan” while watching from his home sofa as they rampaged across Europe on their end-of-season tour.

“If you are not there, you are the biggest supporter back home,” the veteran said. “I was shouting for them in the games, sending them messages during the week, and they sent me pics from the changeroom afterwards and when they were having their fines committee.”

The 101-cap Le Roux was speaking to the media at the launch of a new sponsorship which sees Samsung joining SA Rugby as the official mobile and electronics partner across the Springboks, Springbok Women, Junior Boks, Blitzboks and Women’s Sevens. Samsung have also partnered with the United Rugby Championship.

“The Boks have made us proud, and it is lekker to watch. I was just a proud supporter from home.”

Le Roux said the Boks will return home wiser for their experiences in matches against Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales.

“What we have seen on this tour is that when we get red or yellow cards, we have a plan,” the 36-year-old said. “These are the type of things the Boks have been working on because it can happen at any time in a World Cup — in a quarter or semi-final, you could lose a guy, you might lose two, so you need to have a plan of who covers where, who defends where. Maybe a flank defends at nine, for instance.

“There are little things that go into planning for the worst-case scenarios, so I think they have learned a lot about how to handle those situations. If everyone buys in and is on board, it helps the team overcome these obstacles.”

Le Roux, who earned his 100th cap in the victory over Italy in Gqeberha, said it was no surprise how hard the Boks fought when they suffered those cards.

“That is just how the Springboks operate,” he smiled. “We all know that. If we saw something less than that, we would be upset. We expect that tenacity from the Springboks. It is part of the DNA.”

Le Roux said he was delighted that Malcolm Marx received the World Rugby Player of the Year award.

“What a beast he is! The video that everyone saw of Victor Matfield giving him the award in the changeroom emphasised what Malcolm means to the team, what type of person he is.

“He never takes credit for himself. He is a hard worker, and I was privileged enough to play a lot of games with him. He is so deserving, and I am very happy for my friend.”

Le Roux’s last appearance for the Springboks was in the Eden Park loss to the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship. But he hopes he is not finished with the Boks.

“My future currently is the URC, playing for the Bulls and doing the best I can for them. You never know what might happen in the future, but for now it is performing well week in, week out and staying healthy and fit.

“I have not retired from international rugby,” he added. “So it is hard for me to reflect on my career because I still have a job to do at the Bulls.

“I think one day, when you are done and you hang up your boots and say, ‘I have officially retired’, that is when you have mates over for a braai and talk about the good times.

“It has been amazing to have played all those games for the Springboks, to have been given the opportunity and to have overcome many ups and downs. There were times when I considered stopping, but I pushed through because I was in a great team.”