Rugby
Super Sarel becomes a Baabaa─── 16:04 Mon, 20 Oct 2014
It’s hard to believe that the Toyota Cheetahs' much loved scrumhalf, Sarel Pretorius, will only now be getting his first taste of international rugby when the Barbarians tackle the Wallabies at Twickenham, London next weekend.
The 30-year-old Reitz-born pocket rocket has become the latest South African rugby player to crack the nod for John Kirwan's invitational international team to take on the Australians in November. He is also the fourth player with Free State and Cheetahs ties to get selected for the squad, after Springbok forwards Coenie Oosthuizen, Heinrich Brussow and CJ van der Linde.
Although Oosthuizen is in the squad, it remains to be seen if he will indeed feature for the Barbarians due to his Springbok commitments for their end-of-year tour to the home nations and Italy.
Remarkably, all four of these players have also represented the University of the Free State Shimlas in the past. With the Baabaas traditionally not playing in their own socks, the players wear socks of their own choice.
All four have indicated that they will be representing the Shimlas come 1 November by donning the club's colours for the special match. Club chairman, Marius van Rensburg, told OFM Sport that he is making special arrangements to get the socks to the players ahead of the match.
Speaking to OFM Sport, the exciting halfback who has never played rugby in Europe said he is over the moon to get selected for the team in black and white striped jerseys.
“I think it’s a huge honour to be selected to represent the Barbarians and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.
“The Wallabies played quite well during their 29-28 loss to New Zealand this past weekend so it’s going to be nice to play against them.
The pocket-rocket said he is also looking forward to learning form the whole host of international players in the team.
“There are a lot of international players, so it’s going to be nice to play with them and learn from them.
“I know that the final squad hasn’t been announced yet, they will announce it this week, so it will be interesting to see who the other players will be."
Asked about the colours he will be sporting next week, his answer was quick and decisive: “I played a couple of games for the Shimlas, so I reckon I’m going to wear Shimlas socks as well.”
With the season winding down, Pretorius feels he still has a bit of gas left in the tank for the exhibition match.
“I took a week off and I’m training a little bit just to be in shape for that game. I think it’s a mental thing, if you’re going to be on that pitch at Twickenham you’re not going to be thinking of fitness, you will just be thinking about playing,” the blond-headed dynamo said about his fitness.
As one of the Cheetahs most valuable players season-in, season-out, Pretorius has the real chance of being spotted by the European scouts and it may also be an opportunity for Springbok coach, Heyneke Meyer to notice the player's game changing abilities.
Morgan Piek / OFM News
