Du Preez thrilled about first Test start in seven years

Springbok loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez was thrilled about the prospect of starting his first Test in seven years when he runs out at No 8 against the Wallabies in Cape Town on Saturday.

Du Preez, whose last Test start was against England in June 2018 in Johannesburg, warned that the second Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test at the DHL Stadium would be another epic battle.

The 30-year-old loose forward will start at the back of the scrum in the absence of the injured Siya Kolisi in a loose trio with flankers Marco van Staden and Franco Mostert, and after the Boks’ 38-22 defeat against the Wallabies at Ellis Park last week, he said the key for him was to be as prepared as possible going into the match.

“This will be my first Test start in seven years and I’d like to do my best for the team and help get us on the front foot and hopefully, we can do a good job on Saturday” said Du Preez, who was in action earlier this year against the Barbarians.

“I’ve been thinking quite a bit after the last week’s result. There’s a lot of pressure on us and on me after not starting in seven years. But I’ve tried not to think about the outside noise too much and just get my preparation right in the week.”

Du Preez may have had to wait patiently for his chance to play in the last few years but he said the lure of the Springbok jersey always remained in the back of his mind.

“Your mind is a powerful thing – there were times that I thought I should give up hope but I would never be able to do that,” said Du Preez.

“Yes, it took some time to start again but then again, I can never take it for granted. When you get a shot, you must take it.

“I did a lot of prep and worked hard and so much has changed. I’m just so thankful for the opportunity to get a run on Saturday and to represent my country again.”

Giving his thoughts on what they expected from the Wallabies this week, Du Preez said: “We are expecting much of the same from them. We must give credit to the Aussies, they did well last week. Their turnover attack cut us up a little, so we’ve been working hard on our defence and breakdowns this week.

“(Aussie skipper this week) Fraser McReight might be a very good fetcher but for us, it’s about our urgency to get to the breakdown, and we’ve focused on that this week. We need to get there before the breakdown is formed.”

The match kicks off at 5.10pm and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel (capt), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe; 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams; 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden; 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 RG Snyman; 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Wallaby starting XV: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Corey Toole; 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White; 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight (capt), 6 Tom Hooper; 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost; 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Tom Robertson. Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andrew Kellaway.

South Africa v Australia - DHL Stadium, Cape Town @ 5.10pm

Referee: James Doleman (NZR)

Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

Television Match Official: Richard Kelly (NZR)

Split Screen/FPRO: Tual Trainini (FFR)