The last time the Springboks won the Vodacom Tri-Nations trophy Joe van Niekerk was still at school.
Van Niekerk captained the South African Schools team that year — 1998 — and big things were expected of Big Joe. Since then his professional career has been littered with sublime displays, but it has also been notable for serious injuries creeping up at regular intervals.
Thus, his recall after a nasty knee injury to Jake White’s Bok starting line-up for Saturday’s crucial Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park has given renewed hope that South Africa can finally get title number two under the belt.
Van Niekerk’s return bolsters a new-look loose-trio and may be just the tonic the Boks need to pull off a rare match victory over the Old Enemy and ultimately perhaps only the second Tri-Nations title in South Africa’s history.
Van Niekerk’s presence at the back of the scrum is likely to aid the Boks’ cause in playing to the ball and securing more turnovers — an area in which they have been found wanting somewhat in recent matches.
The unfortunate Jacques Cronje has proved an able deputy to Big Joe — Van Niekerk was part of White’s original squad announced before the home Tests against the Irish — but his form flagged slightly overseas.
It is not an entirely familiar role for Van Niekerk, but it is one the big Western Province player has performed with aplomb in the past.
”I enjoy the roving role, but I’m happy to play to whatever the coach wants. Hopefully I can add value by securing some turnover ball,” said the former Lions playmaker.
Along with openside flank Schalk Burger, Van Niekerk will be hoping to disrupt the New Zealanders’ ball although his long-time rival Richie McCaw is missing due to injury.
”We’ve had some awesome tussles in the past, but Marty Holah is a really good openside and Jonno Gibbes and Xavier Rush make it a formidable trio,” said Van Niekerk. ”We are looking to give it to them, though.”
A mobile and tenacious loose forward, Van Niekerk is known for his exceptional pace, anticipation and quality ball skills and at 1,93m he adds an extra option at the back of the line-out.
However, the last time the former King Edward School pupil played in the number-eight jersey was on the 2002 end-of-year tour to Europe.
”It doesn’t matter what number is on the back. The team have come a long way and it was difficult to sit on the side so I’ll take whatever comes.
”The spirit [within the squad] is unbelievable and I’m just looking forward to pulling on that jersey. I’m ready,” he declared.
Van Niekerk was SA Rugby’s player of the year in 2002 and spent the most part of 2003 on a rehabilitation programme that made it possible for him to play at the Rugby World Cup in Australia.
He was South Africa’s top player at the event before suffering a serious knee injury in the final pool match against Samoa. He missed the 2004 Super 12 while recovering but now has another chance to showcase his immense talent against the Boks’ biggest rivals.
All three teams are still in with a chance of capturing the coveted Tri-Nations crown, although the Boks need nothing less than two wins at home — against New Zealand on Saturday and Australia in Durban the following weekend.
An intriguing battle awaits. — Sapa