Western Province hooker Schalk Brits joined his Springbok teammates in the New Zealand capital, Wellington, in the early hours of Tuesday morning very tired, but extremely excited.
The 27-year-old Brits was called up to the Bok side after team captain John Smit was ruled out of the rest of the Tri-Nations tour to New Zealand and Australia with a groin injury he picked up when he was spear tackled by All Black lock Brad Thorn in Saturday’s first Test.
Thorn was suspended for one game and won’t face the Boks in Dunedin this weekend. However, Smit will be out of action for at least two games and will only be considered for selection again after the Tri-Nations Test against the Wallabies in Perth on July 19.
Brits, who made his Bok debut last month against Italy in Cape Town, was still exhausted after the morning training session on Tuesday at the Western Suburbs Rugby Football Club.
”However, it feels fantastic to be here. Before I left I spoke to my parents and told them how much it would mean to me to face the haka in New Zealand, and now that opportunity is around the corner,” he said.
”Playing for the Springboks has always been a dream of mine — being here is like a dream within a dream.
”Even though I have not been with the team from the start of the tour, it feels like I’ve not been away at all. Before the touring squad was announced, [coach] Peter [de Villiers] phoned me and explained to me why I would not be in it.
”I was okay with that and enjoyed playing for Western Province in the Currie Cup, even though last Saturday’s game against the Cheetahs was a bit difficult, as I knew before kick-off that I would be joining the Boks.
”Getting motivated for a big game, like the one against the Cheetahs, is never difficult, but it was always in the back of my mind that I must not get injured.”
Brits will in all likelihood be on the bench for Saturday’s second Test against the All Blacks at Carisbrook. Bismarck du Plessis will start at hooker, with Victor Matfield taking over the captaincy from Smit.
”It’s Peter’s decision whether I get game time or not, but I’m more than ready. I will never try to fill John’s shoes — he is a fantastic player and captain. All I can do is make a contribution.” — Sapa