Bok prop relishes Munster stint
15 Dec 2009
Wian du Preez says he is making the most of his two-month loan at Munster.
The Cheetahs loosehead has made major strides in his career since his impressive performances in the Currie Cup.
After being initially snubbed by the Springbok selectors for the European Tour, he was a late call-up to the squad after Guthro Steenkamp flew back home injured.
Despite being a disappointing tour, Du Preez made his Test debut in the win over Italy and gained valuable international experience. He will now add to this as he spends two months at Irish powerhouse Munster, where he has already started two matches, to help the club out with their prop injury crisis.
‘I made my debut in the narrow defeat [19-14] against Ospreys,’ he told keo.co.za. ‘That was disappointing because you always want to be on the winning side, but the next game against Perpignan was a great experience as I ran out at Thomond Park for the first time and we beat them in a close encounter [24-23].
‘It is a completely different atmosphere. From the passionate cheers from the home crowd to the dead silence while players kick at goal. The style of rugby is also different up north. The Super 14 has more running rugby where teams place a lot on emphasis on attack, while here they play for territory so they kick much more and there are more ruck contests.
‘The weather also has a big impact. Sometimes the ball doesn’t even reach the centre because of the wet conditions, so I’m learning to play in different situations and conditions.’
Du Preez added that it is a good experience playing alongside world-class players in the Munster line-up.
‘Munster have players like Paul O’Connell, Doug Howlett, Ronan O’Gara and David Wallace. They are great players and I’m learning a lot from them. They are also very friendly, which has made it easier for me to settle in.’
Off the field, Du Preez had a chance to meet up with other Saffas, such as former Cheetahs team-mate Philip Burger and Bok centre Jean de Villiers.
‘I met up with Philip in the week before the game against Perpignan. It was like a reunion and was nice to catch up. I will be visiting him again as we travel to France for the away leg against Perpignan in the European Cup,’ he said.
‘I also see Jean de Villiers, who’s also here at Munster. Although he wasn’t part of the team last weekend, he’s still very much part of the squad.’
Apart from the ‘miserable’ weather, Du Preez said he is enjoying life in Ireland.
‘The lifestyle is great here,’ he said. ‘They have everything here like top-class malls, shops and restaurants, but it has been difficult to adapt to the weather. It’s sad to hear my family and friends spending time on the beach, while I’m in the cold. But apart from that, I can only say positive things about my time here. It’s been great and I will do it again.’
Du Preez added that he is determined to play for a spot in the Bok team.
‘For any South African player, their dream is to be a Springbok,’ he said. ‘It will be difficult to get a place in the team and I will need to perform well in the next Super 14, but I will work hard for it.’
Du Preez returns to South Africa on 25 January, where he will join up with the Cheetahs for Super 14 pre-season training.
By Gareth Duncan
105 Comments
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16 Dec 2009, 11:08 am
wiaan will be in a contest with beast and heinke for the 1 jersey…..will be a keenly contested battle….
16 Dec 2009, 12:07 pm
Keo is dead, long live the dwarf.
16 Dec 2009, 12:32 pm
Who was the first poster to vomit on the space bar,
And find the distance to the keyboard too far,
Meanwhile its getting late at ten oclock,
Keo is dead they say,
Long live Keo.
Be it Dead or Alive!
16 Dec 2009, 12:42 pm
langenhoven and Puma s birthday today, happy b day gents….many more!
16 Dec 2009, 12:45 pm
@grant10: happy birthday Puma, a true SA gentlemen… gees thats something you wouldnt consider in the same sentence… many more mate
cheers
16 Dec 2009, 12:49 pm
Happy birthday, Puma and Langenhoven! Cheers.
16 Dec 2009, 12:50 pm
Post some new threads Keo (or his minions)!!
16 Dec 2009, 12:55 pm
Happy Bday Puma! And Shaun!
16 Dec 2009, 12:57 pm
Happy bday Puma! Hope you having an awesome day
16 Dec 2009, 12:58 pm
BH
not minnions, theyre more like court jesters.
16 Dec 2009, 12:58 pm
wow it’s actually a lot of birthdays today… what happened nine months ago?
16 Dec 2009, 13:01 pm
Sarah, the sharks choked again.
16 Dec 2009, 13:02 pm
Puma 54………….You are 1 week older than I.
Langenhoven……….Many happy returns.
Grant12………..well done.
16 Dec 2009, 13:04 pm
@Slappes: … riiiiiiiiiight
@cane: Happy belated birthday
16 Dec 2009, 13:04 pm
@SpringbokSarah: is it your birthday too Sarah?
16 Dec 2009, 13:06 pm
ja I called my sister this morning and scream “Happy 25th birthday!” I think if she could have klapped me through the phone she would have
16 Dec 2009, 13:07 pm
@poppa69: no my sister
16 Dec 2009, 13:09 pm
Cane, 54? you guys are 20yrs my senior! Better start those blue pills pensioners, ask Grant he consumes them like smarties!
16 Dec 2009, 13:10 pm
@SpringbokSarah: well happy birthday to your sister
and happy birthday Cane, albeit a little late…
16 Dec 2009, 13:12 pm
@Slappes: shall we not get started with age gaps… I’ve got you all beat
@poppa69: ha ha I’ll tell her
16 Dec 2009, 13:14 pm
Sarah, yeah you the baby on the blog.
16 Dec 2009, 13:17 pm
@Slappes: I really am…. just think in about 50-60 years you’ll all be gone and I’ll be all by myself
16 Dec 2009, 13:19 pm
Interesting, who else has to be cheered this year?
16 Dec 2009, 13:21 pm
Sarah.
nah Ill still be around in my zimmerframe!
16 Dec 2009, 13:24 pm
@Slappes: ja but your arthritis will be so bad you won’t be able to type
16 Dec 2009, 13:28 pm
Sarah, yeah guess Ill just have ask my 2nd wife Minki vdw to type for me.
16 Dec 2009, 13:29 pm
Poppa, Grant, Slappes, Nils and Cane thanks for the birthday wishes.
Grant, I know you enjoy U2 well my daughter got me the dvd of them live in Dublin. Great stuff enjoyed it. Had to watch it first thing this morning with her. She insisted…hahaha. So missed putting in my crici SuperBru picks.
Great DVD though.
16 Dec 2009, 13:30 pm
@SpringbokSarah: @poppa69:
I thank you both from the bottom of my heart for your good wishes.
BUT.
“Puma 54………….You are 1 week older than I”.
This means I am still 53…for another week anyway.
16 Dec 2009, 13:31 pm
@Slappes: Minki? What happened to the 1st
@Puma: cough post number 59 cough
16 Dec 2009, 13:31 pm
@cane: 63 – Cannie, Never knew we were the same age? Well no wonder I enjoy your company here…hehe.
So I am one week older than you? I beat you there hey? hehehe. Not by much but a wee bit.
Have a good one when it comes mate.
16 Dec 2009, 13:33 pm
79 – Sarah, Not coughing just a headcold. I will survive. Just wont go to the movies today and sit in the aircon. Will have to see Invictus on Thursday or the weekend. On holiday now so time does not matter
16 Dec 2009, 13:33 pm
@cane: lol oops my bad… well the chances I will talk to you in a week are minimal
16 Dec 2009, 13:34 pm
@cane: hehe. Cane enjoy your last week of being 53. You will catch up with me in no time
16 Dec 2009, 13:35 pm
@Puma: roflmao… go today, as a bday present to yourself… I’m trying to go see it again… mom refuses
16 Dec 2009, 13:37 pm
@Slappes: 68 – Slappes so from now on no back chat from you…hehehe. We oldies will be watching…
Ag, no mate. Really you as young as you want to be. My mind says I am 30 and never getting older
16 Dec 2009, 13:38 pm
@SpringbokSarah:
LOL.
Sharp….very sharp.
16 Dec 2009, 13:39 pm
@SpringbokSarah: 84 – Sarah, You will know that film so well by now.
May go tomorrow. Feeling a bit better with the head cold so don’t want to mess it up in the aircon. That what causes it.
Looking forward to the movie. Today being a public holiday it will be full to the rafters so will wait.
16 Dec 2009, 13:42 pm
@cane: rofl, I try
@Puma: I do… I know the… ok I’ll tell you once you’ve seen it
go in your Springbok top
16 Dec 2009, 13:44 pm
Puma,
yeah Im gonna have to tone it down a bit with you geriatrics. btw you should try get U2 live in Boston dvd as well, superb.
16 Dec 2009, 13:45 pm
@SpringbokSarah: 88 –
Sarah, NO…hehehe. Not going to watch it in my Springbok jersey……hehehe.
16 Dec 2009, 13:46 pm
@Puma: well if you go in an AB top you might go emo
16 Dec 2009, 13:48 pm
@Slappes: Yip, Us oldies are watching you ligties….hahaha.
Will try and get it. Enjoy U2 a lot. My daughter got it for me. So will look out for that one.
Now hope for Xmas she has not bought me John’s book as I have it. Everytime I tell her I have these rugby books she forgets and I get another one for Christmas. Must have two of all the rugga books…..hehehe.
16 Dec 2009, 13:48 pm
sorry, typo. meant lighties.
16 Dec 2009, 13:50 pm
@SpringbokSarah: 91 – Sarah, They wont let me in then
16 Dec 2009, 13:51 pm
Puma, as long as you dont have 2 copies of Joosts book, youll be fine!
16 Dec 2009, 13:51 pm
@Puma: roflmao good point
16 Dec 2009, 13:59 pm
@Slappes: No don’t even have one. That is not a rugga book
16 Dec 2009, 13:59 pm
cheers guys, I’m off… enjoy your holiday and birthdays
16 Dec 2009, 14:04 pm
Cane and Poppa, hope you both still post with us until Xmas if you don’t, have yourselves a great Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
Same to everyone else if they not going to post during the the festive season. Have yourselves a great holiday.
Time to relax and have some fun. Enjoy.
Shaun Langenhoven, You and I hardly speak but want to say Happy Birthday to you. Hope you have a great day.
Out of here now. Going to watch some crici.
16 Dec 2009, 14:07 pm
Cane if I miss you here on your birthday. Or you not posting that day. Have a good one mate.
Now out of here. Cheers all.
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