Juan de Jongh made his Springbok debut in June 2010 already, but has just 15 Test caps. Those statistics are an indictment on the Bok coaches, but the Western Province star can show them what they’ve been missing against the Wallabies on Saturday.
Following the shock announcement last week of captain Adriaan Strauss’ impending retirement – which, incredibly, was known to coach Allister Coetzee from the start of his reign – anything is possible at the Boks right now.
So it wouldn’t be a major surprise if De Jongh is thrust into a starting role in Saturday’s must-win Rugby Championship clash at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane when Coetzee names his team at 7pm SA time on Wednesday.
One would hope that De Jongh’s presence – which would be highly welcome – would come in the No 12 jersey alongside Lionel Mapoe rather than at outside centre. Damian de Allende is well off the form that made him arguably the best South African rugby player in 2015, with De Jongh’s all-round skills on attack and defence a better foil for the hard-running Mapoe, who hasn’t been unleashed at No 13 yet in the manner he normally is for the Lions in Super Rugby.
De Jongh, though, is not getting ahead of himself as he knows too well that there are no guarantees at Springbok level, as he would understand from past experience.
But the 28-year-old from Wellington with the magic feet and the determined defence is eager to showcase his sevens skills gained at the Blitzboks during the Olympics in the 15-man game.
“The experience I got at the sevens was absolutely fantastic – not only off the field, but on it as well. And I just want to take that experience, whatever I’ve learnt at the sevens circuit and the Olympics, and bring it into the squad. Hopefully it can make a difference in all departments,” De Jongh said in Brisbane on Monday.
“Being in the green-and-gold for me is really an honour, and to be back in the whole squad of 28 is an honour for me and something that I will cherish for a really long time. Your career goes by so quickly, so I hope to build a legacy and make a success out of any opportunity.
“I know that once these opportunities are gone, they’re gone forever. So it’s important for me to take every minute and enjoy it, and make memories that I want to cherish for the rest of my life. Hopefully I can bring my part – if I don’t get opportunities on the field, I can bring my part off the field as well. I’m really excited to be back in the green-and-gold.”
The disastrous 26-24 defeat to Argentina notwithstanding, the Boks have had some memorable moments on attack, and have looked their best when holding on to the ball and running hard at the defence.
But the Bok backline will face an even tougher examination against the normally slick Wallaby back division, despite a lack of continuity in selection from coach Michael Cheika.
Former Reds conductor Quade Cooper was recalled at flyhalf for their last Test, a 29-9 defeat to the All Blacks in Wellington, with Bernard Foley shifting to inside centre in place of the injured Matt Giteau. Tevita Kuridrani was dropped for Samu Kerevi at No 13, so the Aussies also have an unsettled make-up among their inside backs.
Star fullback Israel Folau and right wing Adam Ashley-Cooper are still around, though, along with the classy Dane Heylett-Petty at No 11. “What makes them devastating and dangerous is that they haven’t had the best results over the last few weeks, so that will make it a cracker of a game as we also lost our last game,” De Jongh said.
“So we have to make sure that we are well prepared this weekend, and that all the mistakes we made in Salta are rectified, and that we work as a team. Whatever happens, it’s in our own hands, our own destiny. We are a talented bunch of players and we have to turn the tables and get the ball rolling again, because in this competition, you don’t get an easy game.”
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