‘We train how we play’ — Deon Fourie stoked with Boks’ win over Tonga

Springbok utility forward Deon Fourie hailed the Bok training system that prepared him for his first ever international start at hooker in their 49-18 thumping of Tonga in their final Rugby World Cup pool match in Marseille on Sunday night.

Fourie responded with a superb performance that saw him named man of the match after spending most of the game in the front row before shifting to loose forward late on when Marco van Staden took over the hooking duties.

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The game was the perfect opportunity for the Boks to test out their two makeshift hookers, with Bongi Mbonambi the only specialist hooker left in the squad. He was rested for the match.

‘Good game’

Fourie certainly answered some big questions after an action packed performance that included a try, 13 carries for 34 metres, 11 tackles and three turnovers.

“It was a good game. We expected a tough game. I’ve played hooker earlier in my career so it wasn’t too bad,” said Fourie about shifting back into the role that he started his senior career in.

“It went well today and I’m glad. I trained there for the last two years with the Boks and our motto is: we train how we play. That paid dividends today.”

“I must say it’s quite tough moving from hooker to flank. The body is old but I still keep going and I felt good.”

Bok coach Jacques Nienaber did not look the most pleased man at the on-field conference after the game, but admitted that he thought his side had done enough to secure progress to the competition quarterfinals.

Quarter-finals

He was, however, happy with the effort of makeshift hookers Fourie and Van Staden, as well as the return to international rugby of influential flyhalf Handre Pollard, who had a decent match and slotted all four of his kicks at goal.

“We’ll have to wait (and see). The other pool (pool A, quarterfinal opponents) gets sorted out on Friday night and our pool (pool B) gets sorted out on Saturday so it’s a waiting game for us,” said Nienaber.

“Our hookers got some decent game time in a proper Test match against some good opposition. So it’s one step closer to getting game time in big games under their belts.”

“It was brilliant to get 50 minutes into his (Pollard’s) legs. He had only (recently) played 30 minutes in the (English) Premiership, so to get exposed to international rugby I think it’s a nice stepping stone for him and we can build from there.”