The Du Preez ‘family feud’: What they say about Robert

If Robert du Preez – junior that is – wanted to stay out of the spotlight, this week is a write-off in that regard.

The 24-year-old Western Province flyhalf has been one of the biggest talking points ahead of Saturday’s Currie Cup final between the Capetonians and the Sharks at Kings Park.

He’s been in outstanding form the past few weeks, impressing with his all-round game and his ability to limit his mistakes.

However, the more spicy plot is that Du Preez will be playing against his younger twin brothers, Jean-Luc and Dan, as well as dad Robert snr – the Durbanites’ head coach.

The Province pivot also seems to lift his game significantly when he has to plot against dad and is reportedly on his way to play for the Sharks next season.

But what do the important figures in Du Preez’s life think about his influence?

Robert du Preez snr (Father and Sharks coach)

(Smiling) I’ve had enough of him now. He’s been playing really good rugby. He’s managed Province’s game really well. Robert is definitely going to be a threat, so we’ll have to close his space down. Having said that, we have a fantastic youngster in Curwin Bosch, who’s been playing really well this season too.

Jean-Luc du Preez (Brother and Sharks flanker)

There’s always a bit of banter on the family group on Whatsapp. Robert always seems to play well against our father. Apparently he also did that when he played for Maties against my dad at the Pukke in the Varsity Cup. Hopefully it doesn’t happen this weekend again. Mom’s (Sonja du Preez) got a soft spot for Rob, especially with him not being here in Durban. She is really proud of him, the way he played two weeks ago. She is really looking forward to this weekend. But she will be supporting all of us.

John Dobson (Western Province coach)

(Laughing) I don’t know what’s going on on that Du Preez Whatsapp group! Without going into cliches, the Sharks finished top of the log and host a final. That represents significant pressure. We don’t actually feel much pressure, be it from the union or other sub-plots going into the game. I don’t want Rob to feel like he’s got a point to prove or win the game on his own of whatever. All I want is a copy-paste job from what he did two weeks ago in Durban. He took the ball to the line, he took Curwin on and he won the territory battle. That’s all I want. 

The teams:

Sharks: Garth April, Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am, Marius Louw, Odwa Ndungane, Curwin Bosch, Louis Schreuder, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Keegan Daniel, Ruan Botha (c), Tyler Paul, Ross Geldenhuys, Franco Marais, Thomas du Toit. Bench: Akker van der Merwe, Juan Schoeman, John-Hubert Meyer, Jean Droste, Jacques Vermeulen, Michael Claassens, Tristan Blewett, Rhyno Smith.

Western Province: Damian Willemse, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel, Huw Jones, Dillyn Leyds, Robert du Preez, Dewaldt Duvenhage, Nizaam Carr, Cobus Wiese, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, JD Schickerling, Chris van Zyl (c), Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, JC Janse van Rensburg. Bench: Ramone Samuels, Ali Vermaak, Frans van Wyk, Jan de Klerk, Kobus van Dyk, Jano Vermaak, Werner Kok, Dan Kriel.

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