FOURIE DU PREEZ has quite some future as a referee when he finally hangs up those magical boots of his. With Wales holding out heroically and less than eight minutes left on the clock, the referee for the day, Wayne Barnes, lost his patience with the scrum half.
“Why don’t you play instead of shouting?” he snapped. The veteran had barked his versions of events at every breakdown battle. He demanded penalties, sometimes his wishes were granted; more often than not, Barnes ignored him.
How Wales would like to rewind the clock and ask the referee not to put what would be the million-dollar question to the 2007 World Cup winner. For three minutes later, du Preez took a deep breath and embarked on the run that would finally break this remarkable Welsh defence and their hearts.
Experience, power and a little touch of genius were required to overcome Wales. The experience was the call from the scrum, 15 metres from the Welsh line. The power was a scrum that wheeled infield to take the Welsh blind side defence out of the equation. The genius, not only Duane Vermeulen’s flipped pass as he drew the two Welsh defenders, but of the scrum-half and his earlier decoy run.
As the scrum wheeled, he made a move away from the direction the big Springbok No 8 was charging. No sooner were Welsh eyes diverted than he changed tack and tore off in pursuit of Vermeulen. Coming late and from behind the melee of forwards, Alex Cuthbert probably thought there was no danger stepping off his wing.
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As Cuthbert clattered into the back-row forward, the ball flipped out into the hands of du Preez and the scrum half sprinted into the corner, diving triumphantly into the semi finals.
It was exactly what his legion of fans in South Africa and around the world would have expected of their man. The great men do it when it matters most. Throughout the course of his illustrious career there have not been many more crucial moments than that 75th minute. Cometh the hour; cometh the man.
“That was an awesome feeling,” du Preez said later. “It was a tight game throughout. It was an unbelievable pass from Duane. I was just delighted that I could put it through. They came hard at us all game. We just said: ‘Keep pushing, keep pushing’. At some stage, I could see some of their guys lying down. I told the guys: ‘Look, we have to go fight now’. And the guys produced.
“We learned from that Japan (defeat). It is part of who we are now. The character from the team and the belief — and a real blessing from above for us.” To think it was touch and go whether Du Preez would even make the trip to England for this World Cup. Torn medial knee ligaments put his position at risk. Defeat on the opening day against Japan and South Africa risked the unthinkable ignominy of pool stage elimination.
The scrum-half, in order to maximise his return to the fullest fitness, was not due to start a game until the final match against the USA but as yesterday’s captain said: “Japan changed all that.”
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Not only was the scrum-half called prematurely into action, but he was anointed as captain of his country at the age of 33 with Jean de Villiers injured and Victor Matfield omitted.
Sean Edwards describes du Preez as a “magician”, Heyneke Meyer “a genius”. There’s no faster brain in the game. Earlier this summer, with New Zealand under the greatest duress in Johannesburg, Richie McCaw called a similarly audacious set-piece move, this one from a lineout to beat South Africa in one of their strongholds. Now, Du Preez was repeating the medicine to Wales. They will be sick of the sight of him, not to mention the 80-minute running commentary.
Jean de Villiers, the retired captain, was a master at refereeing relations. An arm around the shoulder and a gentle smile: “Are you sure, sir . . . keep an eye out for that, sir.’
The current captain has mastered the art of scrum-half play but overdosed on the art of influencing the man with the whistle. Barnes would have been within his rights to issue a warning earlier than the 72nd minute.
His verbosity frequently hindered both his and his team’s fluency. Head up, he shrugged his shoulders, seeking a penalty when quick ball could have caused the Welsh team problems. Any rapid possession was wasted as he flapped his arms like a wounded bird.
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When he was not acting as Barnes’ unofficial adviser, du Preez was as influential as any player on the field. The players run where they are ordered, the pass (when not delayed) is sharp and accurate and, as for his kicking, the box kicks were good. He has such a boot he can kick both high and far, giving the Springboks the chance to regain ball and dominate territory.
Wales are a fine aerial side and they defused his box kick better than most, but twice we caught a glimpse of the vision that goes with the brain to make him the finest scrum half to have played rugby this century.
In the 26th minute, South Africa were awarded a free kick. Most teams would have a conference before making their play. Not du Preez. He sensed space deep on the other side of the field and fired a cross kick fully 50 metres into space with JP Pietersen in hot pursuit. Had the ball not bounced wickedly into touch, the winger might well have scored a seven-point try from completely out of the blue; another delicate cross kick a few minutes later also came within inches of the flying winger’s grasp.
Eight years ago, when South Africa last ruled the world, Bryan Habana was voted player of the tournament, but it was the scrum half who guided South Africa every step of the way.
A little less talk and a slightly slicker service and, from the Japanese ashes, Du Preez’s men could reach the peak.
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HOW DID THE REF DO?
Wayne Barnes
ON THE day he did not help Wales at the breakdown — not one bit. But, as ever, Barnes looked to be in total control throughout this quarter-final. Let’s hope that he gives England a representative in the final, even if it is not quite what the nation had hoped for — or expected. One of the best in the business.