1
Deon Fourie explains ‘dark place’ pains he battled in World Cup final
By Liam Heagney
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."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Northampton sign legend's son to add a 'massive physical presence'
3
Harlequins confirm the 11 players leaving at the end of the season
4
Connacht confirm 11 end-of-season leavers, name nine new arrivals
5
Latest Comments
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
Go to comments