Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss will wave goodbye to Test rugby in Cardiff on Saturday, but the enormity of the occasion is not getting to him.
At least that is what he says.
The 31-year-old Strauss, who has earned 65 Test caps, is renowned for his accuracy with his line-out throwing. He used to rumble it up with ball-in-hand, and steal the ball at the breakdowns too.
But 2016 has been a year to forget for the friendly Bulls stalwart, and probably one bridge too far. To be fair to Strauss, he didn’t want to be thrust into the spotlight as the Bok skipper, but Allister Coetzee managed to twist his arm following the retirement of Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez and Victor Matfield.
The lack of emotion Strauss spoke about at a press conference in Cardiff Friday is perhaps the fault he has been guilty of throughout the year. If you are not going to feel ‘something’ before your very last Test, then when would you?
That detached character was evident on the field. Strauss wasn’t ever an inspirational figure in the mould of a Warren Whiteley for the Lions, or even John Smit and Francois Pienaar for the Boks in days gone by.
Gary Teichmann was quiet by nature, but he commanded respect through his deeds and actions. So, too, Matfield and De Villiers.
“I think it is emotional because it is a Test match. That’s the only emotion I’ve got at the moment. I usually stay calm before a game - I stay focused on what I need to do, and I’m process-driven. So that’s how I’m feeling at the moment,” Strauss said.
“But at the back of your mind, you know it’s your last game, and like I said, I believe the emotions will kick in afterwards. There have been a lot of good years, good times on the field. I always thought I was a solid player. And very special memories.
“This year, not getting the results we wanted, I will reflect on the year once we are done with the game. I’ve been proud of a lot of things, this year as well. There have been a lot of disappointing moments too. I will reflect on that once I’m done this weekend.”
Strauss, though, did speak about the ‘positive vibes’ the four new caps - Jamba Ulengo, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Uzair Cassiem and reserve Jean-Luc du Plessis - have brought to the side this week ahead of Saturday’s final game of the year against Wales (7.30pm SA time kick-off).
He was adamant that an unwanted record of becoming the first Bok team to lose eight Tests in a calendar was not weighing on his mind, and that for old time’s sake, he hopes the players can bring some joy to the long-suffering fans.
The sword is hanging over Coetzee as well, but Strauss feels the game is about more than just saving the coach. “We’ve fallen short in terms of the ability in our team. So, that’s not good enough, and it will hurt afterwards when you look at the history,” he said.
“If we get a good result, it would still not put the year behind us and we can just move forward. But we see it as a Test match we need to win. We, must win it for ourselves and our supporters.
“We’re playing for a whole lot more than that (the coach’s job). We’re playing for the Springbok jersey. It’s a massive honour to play for South Africa, and we play for a lot more than just one cause. We play for hope for our people back home, for our coach, for this team and the guy next to you.”
Saturday Star