On Saturday, Springbok prop Os du Randt will look to bow out of rugby with a second World Cup winners’ medal.
The 35-year-old is the sole survivor in the squad from the team that stunningly won the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, beating hot favourites the All Blacks, and he is looking forward to his retirement, which this time will be definitive.
”I would have to say that I never thought I would bow out in a World Cup final when I called it a day in 2000 [after seven years of play at the top level and suffering from a knee problem),” admitted Du Randt, who will join Australians John Eales, Tim Horan, Jason Little and Dan Crowley as a two-time World Cup winner should the Boks beat England on Saturday.
”I never would have even countenanced when I retired with 39 caps that I would return and win another 41,” added the veteran.
Du Randt, who after he retired the first time used to switch channels when rugby came on, said that it would be almost unreal were he to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy on Saturday.
”To begin with a world title and to finish with another would be a real accomplishment, a memory that I would cherish for ever.”
Du Randt, who was also part of the side that reached the 1999 World Cup semifinals, is a particular favourite of coach Jake White.
Indeed, it was White who was responsible for persuading the old soldier to leave his farm and come back to the Springbok fold, where the coach thought he could do wonders with the young guns who had won the Under-21 World Cup under White.
”He is not really that young,” joked White, who like Du Randt is probably going to experience his last Test match with the Boks on Saturday.
”As he says it himself, I am 28 years old with another seven years of experience.”
For White it has been invaluable to have had Du Randt around the squad the past four years. The South African coach also claimed that Du Randt, and not Danie Rossouw, was the man of the match against Argentina in the semifinal.
”A lot of young people ask: What should we do now? What should one say? I just can’t tell you how much he brings to the party,” said White.
However, for Du Randt, who is not averse to criticising his teammates, saying that several of them had gone off the script during the sometimes nervy quarterfinal win over Fiji, there is no going back on his decision to call it a day, whatever the result on Saturday.
”I believe that I have done my job for my country,” he said.
And no one could argue with that. — AFP
