‘Tactical genius’ Fourie Du Preez gets nod for Springboks captaincy
In surprise move, South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer gives scrum-half his vote of confidence
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer pulled off a surprise in naming scrum-half Fourie du Preez as captain for their key World Cup game against Scotland on Saturday.
Du Preez, 33, takes the role vacated by centre Jean de Villiers, who retired from international rugby after leading his side to defeat against Japan and then suffering a second broken jaw in six weeks against Samoa last Saturday.
Du Preez, the 56th Springboks captain, got Meyer's vote as vice-captain veteran lock Victor Matfield misses the pool B game in Newcastle because of a hamstring strain.
It's not easy to lose Jean and Victor, but I've got a lot of confidence in Fourie
Du Preez beat the likes of Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw to the post when Matfield was ruled out.
All have captained their domestic teams back home but Du Preez had only captained a Super Rugby team in 2008.
However, Meyer called Du Preez a "tactical genius" respected by his team-mates.
"It's not easy to lose Jean and Victor, but I've got a lot of confidence in Fourie. I've coached him since he was 19 years old and even then I was astonished at his rugby knowledge. I always thought he would be a rugby genius and he is. He is respected worldwide in the game," Meyer said.
