Deon Fourie explains ‘dark place’ pains he battled in World Cup final

Veteran Springboks forward Deon Fourie has revealed he found himself in a “dark place” trying to make the finish of Saturday night’s Rugby World Cup final win over the All Blacks.

The back-rower was named on the bench as the back-up hooker for Bongeni Mbonambi, but his second-half ‘bomb squad’ role was accelerated as he instead became a fifth-minute injury sub and went on to play the remaining 75 minutes.

Mbonambi was hurt in a cleanout by the yellow carded Shannon Frizzell and it meant the 37-year-old Fourie, the Stormers back-rower who isn't a specialist hooker, was thrown into the maelstrom of what became an epic decider that the Springboks eventually won 12-11.

The duty that was required took its toll on the veteran’s body. "It wasn't part of the plan,” he said. “He [Mbonambi] was due to do the game but accidents happen.

“We thought we would given him a few minutes to see how he goes but luckily I have played a few games in the World Cup. I came through the 75 minutes.

"It was tough on the body, a few cramps and all that stuff. But at the end of the day we have got the medal around our neck which is all that counts.

“I was tired and I was in a dark place. At that stage of the game both my hammies [hamstrings] were cramping and my calfs were cramping and I felt bad around my shoulder, but I knew I couldn't go off as Mbongeni was already injured and we needed a hooker. Bit the bullets and luckily we got to the end."

What kept him going in that dark place? "All the messages and videos and stuff we got from back home was definitely inspiring."