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'There's no test for measuring your heart'
By Tom Vinicombe
New Bulls recruit and back-to-back World Cup champion Willie le Roux is preparing for a seismic Champions Cup clash against Saracens at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.
The 34-year-old is expected to line up at fullback on Saturday night in what will be just his third game for his new club, having recently returned to South Africa from Japan after spending four seasons with the Toyota Verblitz in the Rugby League One competition.
Saturday night's fixture will also mark the first-ever clash between the two powerhouse clubs of South Africa and England, with last year's Champions Cup the first time South African sides had competed in the competition.
For Le Roux, the game will represent just another step on the experienced outside back's rugby odyssey following stints with the Cheetahs, Canon Eagles, Sharks, Wasps and Verblitz - a remarkable return for a player who many suggested during his formative years that he was simply too small to play high-level rugby. That's an assumption that Le Roux has proven incorrect time and time again.
Speaking to Jim Hamilton in a preview of Saturday's match for RugbyPass TV, Le Roux suggested that size certainly isn't everything on the rugby field.
"Growing up in South Africa, everyone used to think you had to be this big guy running straight, you're not allowed to pass ," he said. "When we started playing, some people said, 'You're too small, you won't play Super Rugby, you won't play for the Springboks'.
"There's all these tests, they can measure your speed, your bench, your squat and all of that [but] there's no test for measuring your heart. When you go to Japan, they like to do all these tests and write all the names up: 'This guys squads 150 and this guy benches 150', but then maybe on a three-on-two out on the pitch, they can't draw and pass, or they can't pass off their left, and I'm like 'What does it help you benching 150 but you can't do a three-on-two properly? Or you just can't pass with your left hand 20 metres?'"
Le Roux noted that perceptions have started to shift, however.
"[Now] everywhere we go we see people focussing less on those things and more what the guy can do on the field.
"I think most of the Saffas are different. They've got heart. Everywhere you go, they always say the Saffas don't mind going into a dark place, whatever league they play in. I think that's just who we are."
It's a mindset that proved fruitful at the 2023 World Cup, with the Springboks claiming the title following three one-point wins during the knockout stages of the tournament.
It's a mindset that will also prove crucial in Saturday's fixture in Pretoria, with both the Bulls and Saracens having won four of their past five matches in their local club competitions, the United Rugby Championship and the English Premiership, respectively.
Saturday's match is set to kick off at 7:30pm SAST on Saturday evening.
The full interview between Jim Hamilton and Willie le Roux can be watched on RugbyPass TV.
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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