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18/10/2007 15:56
Paris - Os du Randt's adopted first name means "Ox" and here on Saturday the well matured Springbok prop piece of beef will look to bow out of the sport with a second World Cup winners medal.
The 35-year-old is the sole survivor in the squad from the team that stunningly won the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, beating the hot favourites the All Blacks, and he is looking forward to his retirement, and this time it will be definitive.
"I would have to say that I never thought I would bow out in a World Cup final, when I called it a day in 2000 (after seven years of play at the top level and suffering from a knee problem)," admitted Du Randt, who will join Australians John Eales, Tim Horan, Jason Little and Dan Crowley as a two-time World Cup winner should the 'Boks beat England on Saturday.
"I never would have even countenanced when I retired with 39 caps that I would return and win another 41," added the hoary old veteran.
Du Randt, who after he retired the first time used to switch channels when rugby came on, said that it would be almost unreal were he to lift the Webb Ellis Cup on Saturday.
"To begin with a world title and to finish with another would be a real accomplishment, a memory that I would cherish for ever."
Could do wonders with the young guns
Du Randt, who was also part of the side that reached the 1999 World Cup semi-finals but was not in the 2003 edition where the 'Boks were ridiculed for their training routine prior to the tournament, is a particular favourite of coach Jake White's.
Indeed it was White who was responsible for persuading the old soldier to leave his farm and come back to the Springbok fold, where the coach thought he could do wonders with the young guns who had won the Under-21 World Cup under White.
For White it has been invaluable to have had Du Randt around the squad the past four years. The South African coach also claimed that he and not Dannie Rossouw was the man of the match against Argentina in the semi-final.
"A lot of young people ask: what should we do now, and what should one say? I just can't tell you how much he brings to the party," said White.
However, for Du Randt, who is not averse to criticising his team-mates, saying that several of them had gone off the script during the sometimes nervy quarter-final win over Fiji, there is no going back on his decision to call it a day whatever the result on Saturday.
"I believe that I have done my job for my country," he said.
And no one could argue with that.
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