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Deon Fourie comes full circle as Stormers hand ‘The Chef’ his chance

Adnaan MohamedNews, RugbyLeave a Comment on Deon Fourie comes full circle as Stormers hand ‘The Chef’ his chance
Adnaan Mohamed

Deon Fourie’s return for the Stormers against the All Blacks on Friday carries a remarkable sense of rugby symmetry.

The veteran loose forward’s previous appearance against New Zealand came in the Springboks’ dramatic 12-11 Rugby World Cup final victory in Paris in 2023. His comeback now arrives as the Stormers prepare to face the All Blacks for the first time since Western Province’s famous 12-11 victory at Newlands in 1976.

The scoreline is impossible to ignore.

For Fourie, it is another meeting with rugby’s oldest measuring stick. For the Stormers, it is an opportunity to reconnect with one of the Cape’s great rugby memories.

The 39-year-old has been sidelined since May after suffering a knee injury from a croc-roll by Ulster lock Iain Henderson in a URC clash. More than 10 weeks after surgery, he says he is ready.

“It’s about 10 or 11 weeks after the operation. Fitness-wise, I’ll probably only be able to tell you on Friday,” Fourie said.

“I am definitely raring to go, and it’s a great opportunity. I was looking forward to this match since it was announced a year or two ago.”

Few players understand the occasion better.

Fourie spent 77 minutes at hooker after replacing the injured Bongi Mbonambi early in the 2023 World Cup final. Playing through a shoulder injury, he made 21 tackles, captained the Springboks during the closing stages after Siya Kolisi’s yellow card and helped preserve South Africa’s one-point victory.

He admits another chance to face the haka seemed unlikely.

“I didn’t know if I would still be able to play this year, but fortunately everything went well, and I will get an opportunity to face the haka again.”

The veteran has not given up on adding to his Springbok career either.

“You always want to wear the green and gold jersey. Hopefully, I can put in a good performance and put my hand up for one or two more Tests.”

While Fourie represents experience, the Stormers are also preparing to unveil one of South African rugby’s brightest young talents.

Highly rated 20-year-old Junior Springbok flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed is expected to make his senior Stormers debut.

Nicknamed “The Chef” for his ability to cook up attacking opportunities, Ahmed has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most gifted young playmakers. He is expected to partner 22-year-old scrumhalf Imad Khan in a youthful halfback combination against the world’s second-ranked side.

The opportunity has come with several experienced playmakers unavailable.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is expected to rejoin the Springboks for Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against Argentina, while Jurie Matthee continues his recovery from injury.

It leaves Ahmed with one of the toughest introductions in world rugby.

Friday’s clash therefore becomes a meeting of generations.

One player is approaching his 40th birthday and chasing another opportunity in green and gold. The other is taking his first steps at senior provincial level.

One carries the scars of rugby’s biggest battles.

The other carries the promise of many still to come.

Against the All Blacks, there is rarely a gentle beginning or a sentimental ending. There is only the next chapter.

Deon Fourie set for emotional Stormers return in Bulls showdown

Adnaan MohamedNews, RugbyLeave a Comment on Deon Fourie set for emotional Stormers return in Bulls showdown
By Adnaan Mohamed

Veteran Springbok loose forward Deon Fourie is poised for a welcome return for the Stormers after a gruelling two-year battle with injuries, with the Cape side hoping his presence can spark a response against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

The 39-year-old has endured a frustrating stretch on the sidelines after a sequence of injuries that kept him out for most of the past two seasons.

Speaking to journalists at the Stormers High Performance Centre in Bellville on Wednesday after a training session in searing heat, Fourie said he was grateful to be back in contention.

“Yeah, feeling fresh,” Fourie said. “I think next month, almost exactly two years ago, I started the injury route. I’m back now and I’m very, very grateful to be back. I worked hard and credit to the physios and management that got me lucky.”

His recovery journey included an ACL injury followed by further setbacks.

“After my ACL I did four games and then my ankle, then one game and then my biceps,” he explained.

Fourie’s comeback could hardly come in a bigger fixture, with the Stormers travelling to Pretoria for one of South African rugby’s fiercest rivalries.

“It’s always special,” he said. “Playing against the Bulls, all the history involved in that and all the times I’ve played against them. It’s a great game to come back to. It gets the best out of everyone.”

Match fitness remains an unknown after such a lengthy absence, though Fourie believes the team’s demanding preparation will help.

“Game fitness and running fitness aren’t the same,” he said. “But after this week in 40 degrees for two days I think I’ll be fine. We’ll see. It’s up at Loftus with a bit of altitude as well, but luckily we’ve got a great player in Paul de Villiers on the bench who can step in.”

The veteran admitted the latest injury tested him mentally, even raising thoughts about retirement.

“Especially the last injury it was quite tough,” Fourie said. “There were a lot of emotions and a lot of questions running through my mind. But that was always my motto. I like to prove people wrong.”

For now, the focus is on simply getting through his return match.

“My first objective is to get through the first game injury free and do it well. Then we’ll see how the body is,” he said. “In two years I’ve only played about five games so maybe my age turned back two years. I’m only 38 now,” he quipped.

The Stormers head to Pretoria seeking to halt a three-match losing run, a stretch that has frustrated the squad.

“It’s important for morale and confidence,” Fourie said. “You need that W again. The frustrating thing the last three weeks was the quality of how we played. We’ll try to rectify that this weekend.”

Despite the pressure, Fourie expects the squad to embrace the occasion at Loftus, a venue known for its intimidating atmosphere.

“That’s why you want to go play there,” he said. “The atmosphere builds you, motivates you. That’s why we play rugby, to enjoy it as well and to win there.”

The Stormers will hope their returning veteran can bring the type of grit and breakdown steel that has defined his long career as they attempt to wrestle momentum back in the United Rugby Championship.