Johannesburg - When Fourie du Preez next runs out for the Springboks, it will be 15 months since he last wore the green and gold in a Test match.
Therefore, his selection for the World Cup squad - to be named on Friday - will leave many wondering why coach Heyneke Meyer is prepared to invest so much in the veteran No9.
However, as all who watch rugby will agree, a fit Du Preez remains South Africa’s best scrumhalf.
The only problem is that Japan-based Du Preez will make his first World Cup appearance having not donned the Bok jumper in more than a year.
Injuries - the most recent being a knee ligament problem - have prevented the 33-year-old from playing for Meyer’s team this season, so is his being handled so carefully really worth it?
Butch James, who was Du Preez’s flyhalf when the Boks won the 2007 World Cup, says he has no concerns the former Bulls man will arrive in England in three weeks’ time having not played a Test in months.
“I don’t think it’s a gamble at all. He’s still this country’s best scrumhalf and picking him would be a wise decision,” says James.
So what is it that sets him apart from Ruan Pienaar, who’s started all the Boks’ Tests this season, and Cobus Reinach, who appears to be Meyer’s third choice No9?
“He’s always one step ahead of the play. He makes his decisions - to run or pass or kick - before he even gets to the ball. He’s just very sharp in his decision-making.”
That silky-smooth pass and his quickness of making the right call was evident last season when Du Preez played both Tests against Wales and the one-off match against Scotland - the last of his 70 Tests, on June 28 in Port Elizabeth.
The year before, against Argentina at FNB Stadium, he also stole the show with a stunning performance.
Werner Swanepoel, the former Bok scrumhalf, also feels a fit Du Preez is a must for the Boks, but he’s not sure whether the veteran will be in shape.
“I don’t think anyone can fault Fourie the player. He is with Joost van der Westhuizen the best scrumhalf the world has seen. Technically he’s superb and his skills are exceptional and I understand why Heyneke would want him in the squad.
“But, it doesn’t matter how good you are or what you’ve done in the past, you’re going to be very rusty if you don’t play at the highest level and Fourie hasn’t played in a long time.
“Scrumhalf, along with hooker, is one of the positions, where you simply have to play often to remain sharp. You handle the ball regularly and at his age I doubt he’ll have that sharpness. The only good thing is that the Boks have some not so tough pool games where he could sharpen up.”
Du Preez himself has been quoted as saying he believes he’ll be up for the challenges ahead, despite him not featuring regularly for the Boks in the last four years.
“I believe I’m the best scrumhalf available to Heyneke. If I didn’t believe that, if I thought he was doing me a favour because of our relationship, I’d walk away,” he was quoted as saying in the July issue of SA Rugby magazine.
Lions boss Johan Ackermann, who played a few Tests alongside Du Preez, feels the scrumhalf’s experience will allow him to settle into a Test team quickly.
“There are certain players out there who can get away with little training and game time … you just know they’re going to be at the right level when they’re called on to play.
“Fourie is one of those players … his average, normal performance is still better than the best performance of others.”
Ackermann, though, added it would be a major risk on Meyer’s part were he to only pick two scrumhalves in his final squad.
“If he doesn’t perform then it’s a problem. But if they go with three scrumhalves then it should be fine. Fourie will have those pool games to get into form before the first big knockout game.”
The final 31-man squad for the World Cup, which kicks off in four weeks’ time, will be named in Durban on Friday.
Saturday Star