Brits eager to contribute to Bok cause

“Though I’m one of the older guys I bring the excitement of a 20-year-old. I enjoy it,” said Brits on Thursday.

“People sometimes think you get quite stressed in an environment like this where there’s a lot of pressure to perform. In game situations even like in Argentina, playing away from home I was loving it and trying to lighten the mood.”

The mobile number two was overlooked in the past by Springboks selectors as he did not fit the mould of a typical hooker whose main focus was on scrummaging. The player headed to Saracens in England in 2009 when it became clear he would not be part of the Springbok picture.

“Since quite an early age I got disappointed quite a lot by not playing for the Springboks. My outlook was always just to enjoy the game. That’s why I went to the UK to experience something different. When 2011 came and went, I thought that would be my last chance to be honest. I can’t wait to be part of the World Cup and have my input on a fantastic team like the Springboks. I was over the moon that I’m going to be part of the World Cup.”

Though part of the squad, Brits is probably third in line behind Adriaan Strauss and Bismarck du Plessis and may not feature much in a starting role. Being third in the pecking order, however, did not discourage Brits.

“I don’t look at it as being the third choice. When I get an opportunity I will use it to the best of my ability. I do know I play a bit differently to other hookers. Before I went overseas, I played a certain style and unfortunately in the northern hemisphere I got messed around a bit. It was a tough learning curve to play there where the scrums, lineouts, driving mauls, the rucks and the weather plays a bigger part. From that point of view, I had to adapt.”

Brits said he wanted to play a decisive role in the Springboks winning their third Rugby World Cup title.

“You don’t want to just go, you want to have a massive impact and win the World Cup. Personally, I know the conditions quite well, I know the northern hemisphere players quite well. It’s a different way of playing.”

If required, Brits said he was prepared to play a more traditional role of a hooker.

“From a spectator point of view if I play a tighter role – and you need to do that in the northern hemisphere – then people ask you why aren’t you running with the ball. My first job on the field is throwing the ball in and scrumming, making sure the backs get the ball. If the game opens up then I can become more involved. In this team, I play whatever role the management want.”

With seven years’ experience playing in England, Brits envisioned tight territorial battles throughout the World Cup.

“There if you make a mistake in your own half, it’s three points. The scores, especially with World Cup, are going to be close. It’s about not making mistakes in your own half and putting the opposition under pressure. You need to play a territorial battle.”

ANA