Corné Fourie hooks his 100th cap for the Airlink Pumas

Corné Fourie (34) will play his 100th match for the Airlink Pumas today, Friday May 19. He will start the game at hooker.

The Mpumalanga team play DHL Western Province at Athlone Stadium at 17:00.

The prop and hooker has had two stints at the Pumas. He played for them from 2012 to 2015 and returned in 2021.

He made his debut for the Pumas against the Leopards in the seventh round of the 2012 Vodacom Cup at Witbank Stadium, on April 28 of that year. The Pumas won 46-10. Coenie van Wyk scored three tries and Jaco Bouwer two in that match.

Fourie is equally comfortable at loose-head prop or hooker and since his return to the Mpumalanga team has also been a leader on the field.

Fourie’s 239 first-class (provincial and club) matches over 13 years makes him the most-experienced player in the Pumas’ squad.

Fourie has played for the Blue Bulls, the Lions/Golden Lions, the Wild Knights (Japan), the Stormers/Western Province, Gloucester (England) and the Pumas.

He played four matches for South Africa U20 in 2008 and represented the South African Barbarians in 2012.

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“Corné comes a long way with me. I was running the rugby academy at Hoërskool Waterkloof years ago. He was in the U14C team but also in the academy side. He won three or four trophies ahead of the A team players. Some parents were not happy so I said to them Corné is a ‘baller’. He went on to play first team for two years. He is a great team man and leads from the front. He gives everything to the Pumas team. And he is a great person. He means a lot to the Pumas,” said Jimmy Stonehouse, director of rugby and head coach of the Pumas.

If one includes Bulletjie rugby, primary and high school rugby, and the Pumas’ stalwart is in his 30th consecutive season.

He is a fan favourite at Mbombela Stadium. Fourie gives 110% on the field – always.

Q&A with Corné Fourie:

MK: You have played for the Pumas from 2012 to 2015 and from 2021 to now. What does it mean to you to be playing your 100th match?
CF: Back in the day when I joined the Pumas I never thought in my wildest dreams I would play 100 games for one union. Longevity is what every rugby player dreams of. After my last knee injury I always tell everyone that it by grace alone I still don the jersey. This is an unbelievable blessing from above and I can only thank my Lord and Saviour.

MK: You have played with a lot of different teammates over the years. During all this time what have these men contributed to your success?
CF: There are so many names that run though my mind that contributed. The first name must be Gurthrö Steenkamp, at the Bulls when I was a junior. Guys like Gary (Botha) and Bakkies (Botha) and Victor (Matfield). They are heroes and legends of the game. My coach now, Corné Steenkamp, was an underrated rugby player when we were teammates. His effort week in and week out was unbelievable and inspired me to be the same. Moving onto the Lions – they were such a special group. There were 45-plus people who taught me so much. Warren Whiteley, an unbelievable leader; Jaco Kriel, a man of few words but when he spoke we listened; Julian Redelinghuys was an amazing person on and off the field, and so many other were an inspiration to me. Moving on to Gloucester – Ed Slater, who now has motor neurone disease, was such a leader among men. The unbelievable people that I have been blessed to play with – I learnt so much in my rugby career and as a person.

MK: What does the role your wife Lizanne plays in your life and rugby career mean to you?
CF: I have the most amazing wife in the world. She made so many sacrifices for me to have a rugby career. We got married on January 7, 2017. We the started our life together and since then she has been a force to be reckoned with when it comes to moral support. Days when I am down, she is there. Thinking of how much she means to me in my rugby life brings tears to my eyes. As for my son (John-Luc) – he is completely rugby berserk. When we got our rugby kit he asked, ‘Where’s my rugby kit?’. I contacted Leone Liebenberg from Must be Nice and she made him his own jersey with his name and my number on the back. Seeing his passion is one of the main reasons I carry on – to share this special bond with him. The Lord has blessed me with the most amazing little human being. I love my wife and son so much.

MK: What has been you highlight of your years at the Pumas?
CF: My debut will live in my memory forever. Then in 2013 when we won the Currie Cup First Division – that was amazing. Also myself and DeJay Terblanche earing our 50th and 100th caps, respectively, in the same game. Then, off course, wining the Currie Cup. I can explain the joy of achieving a dream I had since I was a kid – to lift the Currie Cup.

MK: Tell us one thing that the readers do not know about Corné Fourie.
CF: Well… our second one is on his way, expected on May 31. I cannot wait to be the father of two sons.

MK: Please give a short message to the Pumas fans you cheer the team at every home match and what they have meant to you.
CF: I have received so many mesages leading up to my 100th. Then walking around Mbombla; people stopping me and wishing me well. Being acknowledged when coming off the field – you cannot describe that thankfulness. I stay on the field after a game as long as possible, giving out autographs to the kids. I was that little kid once. It is always such an honour. The crowd at Mbombela Stadium has been unbelievable – being able to thank them brings tears to my eyes.

MK: After 13 years of first-class rugby, how much rugby does Corné Fourie have left in him. What are your plans for your future?
CF: I have done everything a rugby player can do. The body is still feeing good, so as soon as one of my family members says ‘Hey Corné, you are looking old on the rugby field’, I will start thinking of something else. But for now I will keep on going. When God closes one door another one will open up.

MK: Corné, please add anything else that you feel is important or relevant.
CF: I go on my knees when I run onto the field because that is where I find my strength. I am truly thankful for what the Lord has blessed me with. Thank you to Coach Jimmy Stonehouse for bringing me back to be part of the team. My parents have also been an unbelievable supporting factor in my life.