Crocked Fourie in Pumas comeback?
Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:38
World Cup winner: Bok centre Jaque Fourie
World Cup-winning Springbok centre Jaque Fourie is a doubtful starter for the Lions' Round Six Currie Cup encounter with Sharks in Durban on Saturday, but remains confident of making his international comeback early next month.
Fourie, who has played only about 100 minutes of Currie Cup rugby since his elbow surgery earlier this year, remains optimistic that he will be fit to reclaim his place in the Bok team when South Africa face Argentina in Johannesburg on August 9.
Despite being in a race against time to recover from a groin injury, sustained at training this week, Fourie is hopeful of starting his second Currie Cup game of the season against the Sharks on Saturday.
He played about 20 minutes in the 57-17 win over Boland almost a fortnight ago and started in the 36-32 win over Griquas last Saturday.
But Fourie's groin forced him to miss training on Tuesday and will face a fitness test on Thursday before a call is made on his availability for Saturday's trip to Durban.
Despite the injury cloud hovering over the seasoned Bok midfielder, he said on Wednesday he is "looking forward" to renewing his midfield partnership with Jean de Villiers on the international stage.
"I have gotten some game time in [with the Lions]," he told OFM Sport in a podcast.
"Hopefully the Argentina game [in Johannesburg on August 9] I can start and then the rest of the Tri-Nations if everything goes well," he said of his hopes of a speedy international return.
Fourie knows that Springbok selection is not a given, but he hopes his Currie Cup form will convince the selectors that he is can add value to the national team.
"I'll probably talk to Peter [de Villiers, the Bok coach] this weekend and see what's going on," Fourie said.
