Springbok Head Coach Rassie Erasmus has given Springbok loose forward Jean Luc Du preez a big opportunity to start at no8 and showcase his talent against the Wallabies on Saturday at the DHL stadium. Erasmus was asked about the 8th man crisis and if he would be bringing anyone into the squad, but made it very clear that he is happy with what he has at his disposal in the current squad and believed there is no crisis at no8 with Jasper coming back soon after his ban and that versatile Loose forward, Jean Luc will get his opportunity at the back of the scrum in the 8th man position.
I don’t think the No.8 position lost us the game on Saturday, so we are not going to bring in somebody new, we believe that the guys we have here are doing the job for us, and it is difficult to keep the squad that big.
I think everyone here in the press conference room has asked me in the past when Jean-Luc is going to get a proper chance? so it is his chance now, and hopefully it goes well.
What it means to Jean-Luc to play for the Boks and the long wait
Jean-Luc will be playing in the starting role at 8th man after 7 years and will finally get his opportunity and it’s a great show of determination that he never gave up and it was certainly a long journey of patience and perseverance.
Your mind is a powerful thing, there were times that I thought I should give up hope, but I would never be able to do that. Yes, it took some time to start again, but then again, I can never take it for granted. When you get a shot, you must take it. I did a lot of preparation and worked hard, and so much has changed. I’m just so thankful for the opportunity to get a run on Saturday and to represent my country again.
He did however, previously play in the opening game of the season which was the Qatar Airways cup. Unfortunately, the match was not an official test match and he suffered an injury in the 1st half and had to come off. This was rather frustrating for him and he did not get to showcase what he can do and his full potential.
This will be my first Test start in seven years, and I’d like to do my best for the team and help get us on the front foot and hopefully, we can do a good job on Saturday. I have been thinking quite a bit after last week’s result. There’s a lot of pressure on us, and on me after not starting in seven years. But I have tried not to think about the outside noise too much and just get my preparation right this week.
Jean-Luc Du Preez also was asked about his family and if they gave him any advice - from his brothers or dad father ahead of the test match.
I haven’t had any contact or advice from them, not yet.
The expectation from the Wallabies this Saturday in the 2nd test
We are expecting much of the same from them. We must give credit to the Aussies, they did well last week. Their turnover attack cut us up a little, so we’ve been working hard on our defense and breakdowns this week.
Fraser McReight might be a very good fetcher, but for us, it’s about our urgency to get to the breakdown, and we’ve focused on that this week. We need to get there before the breakdown is formed.
The Wallabies 8th man Harry Wilson will definitely be a big challenge to Jean-luc Du preez on Saturday and if he does well, avoids injury and plays to his full potential, don’t be surprised to see him start again against the All blacks on September the 6th at Eden Park. The opportunity is something he must grab with both hands as other 8th men like Cameron Hanekom, Juarno Augustus and Evan Roos are all waiting in line to get an opportunity sometime this year.
