VIDEO: Why Brits came out of retirement
REACTION: Two weeks ago Schalk Burger Brits thought he had walked into the retirement sunset. In fact this past Saturday he watched his first Test as a ‘spectator’.
However, this coming Saturday in Bloemfontein, he may well lace up his boots again.
The 37-year-old hooker was called out of retirement and arrived in Bloemfontein on Monday to join the Springboks for the second and third Tests against England.
And he is not there only to carry tackle bags.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus made it clear he is in the mix to be selected for both Tests, in Bloemfontein and Cape Town, because he brings much-needed experience.
Although he played in only 10 internationals between his debut on 21 June 2008 and the World Cup on 7 October 2015, he brings a lot more to the team.
He played 144 games for Saracens in various European competitions – since having joined the English club in 2009 – and made another 138 first-class appearances for South African teams (including the Lions, Western Province and Stormers).
- Article continues below picture!
Brits will be with the team for the next two games and then Erasmus will re-assess the situation.
“We all know we wanted to get Bismarck [du Plessis],” the Bok coach said, adding: “I feel the more guys you have that’s been there and done that, the more the young guys will learn from them.
“We saw that with Willie [le Roux], Faf [Francois de Klerk] and Duane [Vermeulen],” Erasmus said of the 42-39 win over England in the first Test last Saturday.
“I know Schalk really well and I also coached him for a while.
“He is in the same category as a Bismarck, in terms of experience.”
Brits also know a lot about the English players and Erasmus believes the Boks can learn from him.
“That was definitely something that made the choice easier. It is also about the quality player he is.
“He won a premiership [title] two weeks ago.”
- Article continues below video!
Erasmus confirmed they will definitely consider Brits for the matchday 23 in the next two games.
“That [his selection] is not a given,” he said, adding: “We will see how things pan out, but he is definitely not here just to be a ‘coach’.
“He is definitely here as a player.
“We are going to try a few things and let players learn from one another.”
@rugby365com
