Fourie du Preez, appearing on the Boks Office Fan Van, made the case that his early career rejection — being cut from the 2003 World Cup training squad after just two days — was the making of him. "I phoned Schweitzer, he came to pick me up, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me," he said, explaining that being sent back to the Bulls allowed him to win the Currie Cup, be named man of the match in the final, and develop properly before his 2004 Springbok debut. On the subject of what separated him tactically, Du Preez pushed back slightly on Eddie Jones's famous claim that he could read the game three or four phases ahead, but acknowledged the system he played in was central to it — insisting that all 15 players had to be in constant motion and loudly nominating their positions so he always had a clear picture of his options. He drew an explicit comparison to Maxime Luque and Antoine Dupont, arguing that the best nines in the world are simply allowed to play what's in front of them, and that the best tens — like Jalibert — stay on the advantage line rather than taking a deep flat pass.
Fourie du Preez on decision-making, the 2015 World Cup, and why getting sent home in 2003 was the best thing that ever happened to him
Du Preez reflects on being cut from the 2003 World Cup squad, explains the nomination-based decision-making system that defined the Bulls' dominance, and draws a direct line between his own game and the modern French playmakers.
Du Preez reflects on being cut from the 2003 World Cup squad, explains the nomination-based decision-making system that defined the Bulls' dominance, and draws a direct line between his own game and the modern French playmakers.
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